2 
ORDER CHIROPTERA^GENUS GALEOPITHECUS. 
The Chiroptera have still some affinities to the Quadrumana. par 
lew verge pendante, and in their mammas being placed upon the 
breast. Their distinguishing feature consists in a fold of skin aris- 
ing from the sides of the neck, extending along their four feet and 
their fingers, which sustains them in the air, and even permits such 
of them to fly as have their hands sufficiently developed for that pur- 
pose. This arrangement requires strong clavicles and scapulin, in 
order that their shoulder may have the requisite solidity ; but it is 
incompatible with the rotation of the fore-arm, which would have en- 
feebled the force of the jirk necessary for flying. 
These animals have four large eanines, but the number of their 
incisors [and molars] varies. For a long time they have eomposed 
two genera, [through the progress of science now become two 
tribes,] according to the extent of their organs of flight ; but the 
second requires many additional subdivisions. 
TRIBE I. GALEOPITHECUS— VAULTING CATS. 
The Galeopitheci differ from the other tribe with which they are 
associated in this respect, that the fingers of their anterior ex- 
tremities, which are all supplied with sharp claws, are not length- 
ened out, but are like those of their posterior extremities ; so that 
the meiu_irane, filling up the interval between them, and extending 
to the sides of the tail, can do little more than discharge the office 
of a parachute. Their canines are indented and short, like their 
molars. Above they have two incisors, which are also indented, 
and widely separated from each other; in the lower jaw they have six, 
deeply grooved or pectinated, a structure which is quite peeuliar to 
themselves. These animals live upon trees, in the Indian Archipelago, 
and pursue Insects, and perhaps Birds : were we to judge from the 
wasting which their teeth undergo through age, we should infer 
that they also lived upon fruits. Their coecum is large. 
The Flying, or, more properly, Vaulting Cat or Lemur, forms the soli- 
tary genus of this tribe, which in many respects constitutes a connect- 
ing link between the Lemurs we have left, and the Bats. It has not 
the hands of the Quadrumana, and differs in other striking particulars. 
It is distinguished, again, from the Bats, in that in these latter there is not 
a fold o< skin between the toes, whilst the hind-feet of the Galeopitheci are 
palmated, as are their fore-feet. Besides, the alar membranes of tbe Bats do 
not commence before the shoulders, whilst those of the Vaulting Lemurs 
proceed from the neck, at the angle of the jaw. Lastly, the toes of the 
anterior extremity, in the Galeopitheci, are not much larger than those of 
the posterior, whilst in the Bats the fingers are prolonged to five or six 
times the length of their toes. The Vaulting Lemur uses its hind-legs 
a good deal like other Quadrupeds, and its fingers and- toes are nearly of 
the same relative length as in the Monkeys. The flying membrane of the 
Galeopitheciis is not naked, as is common in Bats, but covered on both 
sides with fine and soft hair like that of the Mole. 1 he females have 
two prominent mammae, which are pectoral. The dental apparatus clearly 
manifests that these animals are frugivorous, though it is also alleged they 
can eat flesh and insects, like the Hedgehog. 
GENUS I. GALEOPITHECUS.— VAULTING LEMURS. 
GENEalC CHARACTERS. 
The Hands and Feet moderately developed, also the Toes ; all sup- 
plied with strong and crooked Nails. 
The Dental Formula ’||+g+Il|^=l|=34. 
The Vaulting Me.mbrane covered with hair both above and beneath. 
The Mamm.® two. Pectoral. 
Habitat, the Indian Archipelago. 
GALEOPITHECUS RUFUS.— THE RED VAULTING LEMUR. 
Syn. GALEOPlTHECns volans.— Sh.iw, Gen. Zool. 
Lemue volans. — L inn. Gmel. I. 44'. 
Felis volans tebnatea. — Seb. Tiles. 
ColugO and Oleck. — N ative names. 
Le.mub volans. — P.illas, Act. Ac Sc. Pet. 1780. 
Icon. GALEOPITHECUS RUFUS. — Audeb. des Galcop. pi. 1. 
GALEOPITHECUS RUFUS Griffith’s Cuvier, II. 158. 
GALEOPITHECUS variegatus, (Geoffroy.) — Audeb. des Galeop. pi. 2. 
Lemur volans. — Schreb. XLIIf. 
Felis volans tern ate a. — Seb. Mus. tab. 58. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 
The Fur is reddish-grey above, reddish below, and variegated and 
spotted with diflerent coloured greys when the animal is young. 
Inhabits the Moluccas and Indian Archipelago. 
The Red Vaulting Lemur is about the size of a Cat. Its head re- 
sembles that of the Lemurs, but the muzzle is more arched j its eyes are 
large, and at a considerable distance from each oilier ; the ears are small, 
n.Tked, oval, and black ; the nose also is black. The anterior extremities 
are long, and very slender ; the fore-arm is more clothed with hair than 
the arm ; the sole of the foot is naked and black ; the toes arc about an 
inch long, flattened on the sides, and united by a membrane ; the nails are 
curved into a half circle, and are strong, much compressed, and pointed. 
They somewhat resemble those of the Cat, and, as in this animal, appear to 
be habitually concealed. In the posterior extremities the thigh is more clothed 
than the leg ; the toes and nails are like those already described. The tail 
is not so long as the body and head taken together. The membrane rises 
from under the chin, proceeds to the nails of the anterior extremity, then 
to those of the posterior, and unites at the extremity of the tail. The 
robe which covers the head, back, and upper part of the membrane, is 
smooth, and of a deep and lively red colour ; that of the chest, abdomen, 
and arm, is brighter and rough. The teeth are said to be anomalous, 
and are variously described by authors. We subjoin that of M. Desmou- 
lins : — There are six incisors in the lower jaw, the intermediate four of 
which are much sloped ; the two central have eight pectinated furrows, 
the next nine, and the third five ; the external are both less sloped and 
less indented. The next tooth resembles a molar on its posterior surface ; 
it has also two distinct roots, but has a triangular point in front. To this 
succeeds another, which before its principal projection has one small heel, 
and behind it three, disposed triangularly. Four molars succeed, the first 
of which is twice the length of the others. In the upper jaw there are 
also five molars, the four last of which very much resemble each other ; 
the one anterior to these has two principal points in a series, and is very 
strong at its base ; the tooth before this (answering to the canine) is very 
long, triangular, and has three distinct indentations. In the intermaxillary 
bone there are two teeth, the posterior of which resembles the canine 
which succeeds it. These incisors are early and frequently lost. 
These animals almost con.stantly reside on trees, where they hang dur- 
ing the day, suspended by their hind-legs from the branches : they move 
with difficulty on the earth's surface; but climb trees with surprising fa- 
cility, and spring from one to the other, supported, as by a parachute, in 
their passage by the membrane spread round their body. They are cre- 
puscnlous, and active only during the twilight. 
The Colugo was first described by Bontius in his History of .lava. He 
informs us it is found in Guzerat, is gregarious, and feeds chiefly on fruits. 
Camelli, in his enumeration of the animals of the Philippine Islands, pub- 
lished by Petiver in the Philosophic Transactions, says, its length is three 
spans, and that the young adhere to the teats of tbe parent, even in fly- 
ing, by their mouth and claws. Their flesh is said to liuve a disagreeable 
odour, but, notwithstanding, it is eaten by many oftlie islanders with mucl> 
relish. 
doubtful species. 
1. Galeopithecus variegatus (Audeb. des Galeop. pi. 2 — Geoffroy, 
in Mag. Encycl. Desm. No. 134) appears to be nothing more than the 
young of the preceding. 
2. Galeopithecus Tehnatensis, (Seba. Mus. mb. 58, Geoffroy.) Tins 
species was introduced into our catalogues by M. Geoffroy, upon the 
imperfect description of Seba. It was observed in Ternate, one of tlie 
Moluccas. 
