ON THE LEMURIDiE. 
Head of Galago, to shew the ears. 
These consist, in the large size of the ears, which are membranous, naked, 
and, as in the Long-eared Bats, capable of being folded down over the external 
orifice ; and in the extreme development of the hinder limbs, and especially of 
their tarsal portion, which remind us of those of the Gerboa; as well as in the 
magnitude of the eyes, which are full, directed forwards, and approximating 
closely together. 
The head is round; the muzzle pointed; the tail long; the fingers, both of 
the fore and hind hands, long and slender, with the usual claw on the first finger 
of the posterior pair. The fur is full, soft, and woolly. Were we to regard the 
length of the tarsi in this genus, without reference to the feet, or rather hinder 
hands, which—from the length and freedom of the thumb and fingers, are 
admirably adapted as organs of prehension—we might be inclined to fancy that 
the Galagos were terrestial animals, proceeding by a leaping movement, as do 
the Gerboas and Gerbills, whereas they are eminently arboreal, and display the 
most surprising agility, sporting among the branches with the lightness and 
address of birds. They are, we need scarcely say, decidedly nocturnal, sleeping 
on their perch during the day, their ears being folded so as to exclude or rather 
deaden the noises of the forest; for their sense of hearing being exquisitely 
susceptible, sounds which would not interrupt the repose of most animals, would 
keep them in a state of perpetual watchfulness. On the approach of night they 
are all animation; with ears expanded, and glistening eyes, they begin their 
prowl for food. They watch the insects flitting among the leaves, they listen to^ 
the buzzing of the Moth as it darts through the air, they lie in wait for the 
incautious flutterer, and dart upon it with the velocity of an arrow, seldom 
missing their prize. In addition to insects they feed also on gum, and are- 
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