THE LEHUROIES. 
215 
Differing as they do from the world of Monkeys, the Lemuroida still resemble them as a whole, 
more than they do any other animals, and therefore they are associated with them in the scheme of 
classification. They belong, therefore, with the Monkeys, and man, to the Primates , and as 
they present important differences from the Monkeys, they are classified in a separate sub-order of 
the Primates. This sub-order is called the Lemuroida, a term 
which has already been explained. Some zoologists, impressed 
with their great resemblance to the Apes, have called them the 
Half Apes, and others, looking upon them as the forerunners of 
the Monkeys, term them Pro-Simia. 
The Lemuroida live in very out-of-the-way places, and the 
majority are in Madagascar, which is an island very little visited 
by Europeans, and where some naturalists have studied them 
and their habits under great difficulties. The skins of captured 
specimens have been stuffed, and a few living kinds have found 
their way to England; hence there are some fine groups of 
stuffed Lemuroida in the British Museum, and some living 
species in the Zoological Gardens. Marvellous stories, of 
course, abound amongst the natives regarding their tricks and 
habits, and the sober truth has been very difficult to distinguish 
from error, especially as the night is the scene of their gaiety. Nevertheless, during the last few years 
much knowledge has come to hand about these interesting creatures, and it has been rendered all the 
more important by the labours of the comparative anatomists, who have dissected many kinds of 
them, and described their results. 
There is no doubt that at first sight they are uninteresting. Many sleep most of the day, as a 
rule, and they cannot be got out of their snug little dens in the Zoological Gardens duiing visiting 
horn's except by force, and then they look dazed and stupid. But a careful observation opens out much 
that is extremely interesting in their habits, and shows how remarkably their limbs and bodies are 
adapted for a singular and nocturnal life. Take an example : — Some Lemuroida, which live in Caffraria 
and South-eastern Africa, are called “ Galagos ” by the natives, and the name has been adopted by 
zoologists. One of these is of an uniform dark brown colour, and the tail is long, cylindrical, 
and woolly, the ears being large, rounded, and black, and it is called the Black, or Garnett’s 
Galago. There is nothing to be made of its habits during the day, but if any one is affected with 
sleeplessness, and desires a domestic pet that would enliven the dreary midnight hours, then 
forthwith let them purchase a specimen, if possible a pair of them. They will rest quietly 
enough and contented in their berths during the day, but only let them have freedom in the 
chamber for a while at night, with a Cat or Dog for companion, and, presto ! the dull hours will 
be merry. The following is Mr. Bartlett’s (Superintendent of the Zoological Gardens) experience 
in a letter addressed to one of us: — “The other night I took an opportunity of letting one of these 
interesting creatures — Garnett’s Galago — have his liberty in my room, and I assure you I was 
well repaid by his performance. J udge my utter astonishment to see him on the floor, jumping about 
upright like a Kangaroo, only with much greater speed and intelligence. The little one sprung 
Irom the ground on to the legs of tables, arms of chairs, and indeed on to any piece of furniture in 
the room ; in fact, he was more like a sprite than the best pantomimist I ever saw. What sur- 
prised me most was his entire want of fear of Dogs and Cats. These he boldly met and jumped on at 
once, and in the most playful manner hugged and tumbled about with them, rolling over and over, 
hanging on their tails, licking them on the head and face. I must add, however, that now and again 
lie gave them a sharp bite, and then bounded off, full of fun at the noise they made in consequence 
of the sly nip he had inflicted. This active trickery he never appeared to tire of ; and I was myself 
•so pleased on witnessing the droll antics of the creature that the night passed and it was near daybreak 
before I put a stop to his frolics by catching and consigning him to his cage. In bounding about on 
the level ground, his jumps, on the hind-legs only, are very astonishing, at least several feet at a spring, 
and with a rapidity that requires the utmost attention to follow. From the back of a chair he sprang, 
vith the greatest ease, on to the table, four feet distance. He was delighted with a little wooden ball* 
SIDE VIEW AND UNDER SURFACE OF THE 
TONGUE OF A LEMUROID. 
