16*2 
LEMUR. 
peevish cry, especially in winter; when he was oftert 
as fierce, on being much importuned, as any beast 
of the woods. From half an hour after sunrise to 
half an hour before sunset, he slept without inter- 
misssion rolled up like a hedge-hog ; and as soon as 
he awoke, he began to prepare himself for the la- 
bours of his approaching day, licking and dressing 
himself like a cat ; an operation which the flexi- 
bility of his neck and limbs enabled him to per- 
form very completely : he was then ready for a 
slight breakfast, after which he commonly took a 
short nap ; but when the sun was quite set, he re- 
covered all his vivacity. His ordinary food was the 
sweet fruit of this country; plantains always, and 
mangos during the season ; but he refused peaches, 
and was not fond of mulberries, or even of guaiavas : 
milk he lapped eagerly, but was contented with 
plain water. In general he was not voracious, but 
never appeared satisfied with grasshoppers ; and 
passed the whole night while the hot season lasted, in 
prowling for them : when a grasshopper, or any in- 
sect, alighted within his reach, his eyes, which he 
fixed on his prey, glowed with uncommon fire; and 
having drawn himself back to spring on it with 
greater force, he seized the prey with both his 
fore-paws, but held it in one of them while he de- 
voured it. For other purposes, and sometimes even 
for that of holding his food, he used all his paws 
indifferently as hands, and frequently grasped with 
one of them the higher part of his ample cage, while 
his three others were severally engaged at the hot- 
