6 
ON THE LEMURIM: OK. 
naturalist. It is not be¬ 
cause Madagascar is sepa^- 
rated from the mainland 
of Africa that it is desti¬ 
tute of SimicE, for Borneo?' 
Java, and Sumatra, under 
similar circumstances with 
regard to the mainland of 
India, produce the Orang 
and several other species 
of Gibbons and Monkeys; 
and, were we to judge by 
analogy^ we might reason¬ 
ably expect to find mon^ 
keys in this wooded and 
torrid island. But as 
these are not indigenous 
in Madagascar, so, on the 
other hand, none of the restricted genus Lemur, or of other immediately allied 
genera, f Perodicticus, Indr is, Sic.), are natives of Africa.-^In fact, the mam¬ 
malia of Madagascar are, in a great measure, exclusively its own. We say 
in a great measure, because we find, for example, the Pteropine Bats spread 
throughout a vast range of geographical latitude ; including the islands Bourbon, 
Mauritius, and Madagascar, from India and its islands, to Africa. In most 
instances, however, the mammalia of Madagascar, and especially the Lemurs, as 
we have said, are generically peculiar to it. 
In their native woods, these singular and beautiful animals live in troops, but 
unless sought for in the recesses of the forest, are seldom seen during the 
day. They are incommoded by a strong light, and the pupil of the eye is trans¬ 
verse, dilating in proportion to the advance of welcome twilight. At this time^ 
and throughout the night, they are all active and alert, bounding fi’om branch to 
branch, with unequalled ease and gracefulness. There is a peculiar sweeping 
elegance in their movements, and the leaps they take, as if without effort, are 
perfectly astonishing.—Their usual voice is a low inward grunt, but they often 
break forth into a hoarse abrupt roar, producing a startling effect. This roar, 
uttered by one, is a signal to others, and a chorus of horrid discords resounds through 
the stilly forest. The roar of the Buffed Lemur is peculiarly deep and sonorous. 
In captivity, with care and attention, the Lemur bears our climate well; but 
they are impatient of cold, as might be inferred from their soft thick fur, which 
they need even in their own region. They are fond of sitting perched on the 
