THE SLOW-PACED LEMUR. 143 
colour with a tinge of black. On the under surface the 
fur is of a lighter gray than above. 
The habits of this singular creature are perfectly 
nocturnal. It sleeps throughout the whole of the day, 
unless when disturbed, either rolled up on the floor of 
its cage, or more commonly suspended by its paws from 
the bars, with its body drawn together and its head 
folded in upon the breast. Towards evening it rouses 
itself by degrees, and remains watchful during the 
night. Its first care on awaking is to make itself clean 
by licking its fur like a cat ; and its next to satisfy its 
appetite. Its natural food appears to consist of a mix- 
ture of animal and vegetable substances. The latter, 
especially the sweeter fruits, and sopped bread sprin- 
kled with sugar, have usually formed the principal part 
of the diet of those with whose history we have been 
made acquainted ; but the smaller animals, whether, 
mice, birds, or insects, appear to be more peculiarly 
acceptable. In its motions it is excessively slow and 
languid. When on the ground its posture is constrained 
and unnatural, and it rather drags itself along than 
walks. On a tree, or in mounting the bars of its cage, 
it seems more at its ease, but still moves with slow and 
cautious regularity. Grasping a branch or a bar in the 
first place tightly with one of its fore paws, it gradually 
fixes the other, and then advances its hinder hands 
with equal slowness and precision, never quitting its 
hold with the one until it has ascertained the firmness 
of its grasp with the other. 
In consequence, as we may imagine, of this want of 
activity, the Slow-paced Lemur is peculiarly susceptible 
of cold, to guard it from which its thick fur, so unusual 
in the animals of a tropical climate, is beautifully 
adapted. Generally speaking it is a timid and even a 
gentle animal, rarely offering offence unless when pro- 
voked or hastily disturbed from its slumbers. On such 
