ON THE LEMURID^. 
‘203 
be proved that the Galeopithecus is the type of a family mi generis ; our present 
arrangement must be regarded as provisional. It is, then, on the side of the 
Lemuridre that we venture to rank the Galeopithecus; but we see in it, as in 
many other forms in the animal kingdom, one of those links, which, embodying 
in itself the characters of other groups, or rather a portion of the characters of 
two, intervenes to constitute a bond between them. Aberrant forms as they are 
in one sense, they are essential to the unity of Nature, in whose works there 
are in truth no abrupt intervals, no unfilled chasms, a completeness of design 
being carried through the whole. We admit that vacancies do indeed occasionally 
interrupt us, but they are vacancies which the discoveries of the fossil-zoologist 
are perpetually enabling us to supply, and which will all ultimately receive 
their legitimate occupants. 
The genus Galeopithecus contains but one species, subject to considerable varia¬ 
tions of colour; in maturity it is of a grizzled brown above, and pale rufous 
brown beneath. Length of the head and body, 1 foot 6 inches; of the tail 10| 
inches ; spread of the arms, 8 feet. Fur soft and full above, scanty beneath, and 
especially on the under side of the membranes. 
Species Galeopithecus mriegatus, Geoffr. (Lemur rolans, Linn.) 
The Galeopithecus is a native of the Moluccas and the Islands of the Indian 
Archipelago; it is arboreal and nocturnal, but of its habits we have little de¬ 
tailed information. It is probably omnivorous. Like the Bats, it is said to sleep 
during the day suspended by its hind claws, with the head downwards. In pass¬ 
ing from tree to tree it takes long sweeping leaps, which it executes with admir¬ 
able ease and address. It is said to produce two young at a birth, which adhere 
to the teats of their parent, but Camelli, in a MS. on the subject in the British 
Museum, asserts it to have a double abdominal pouch, in which the young are 
carried, which is certainly an error. One of its native names is Colugo; and 
under the title of “ Flying Colugo” it is described in Shaw’s Zoology^ Vol. I., 
p. 116, 1800. It is the “ Flying Macauco” of Pennant. In Mus. Zool. Soc. 
Corrigendum.—Lemur Anguarensis. —^We have had a recent opportunity of 
examining this species, which is undoubtedly distinct. Body, above glossy grey¬ 
ish rufous ; paler beneath. Head and throat grizzled, dusky black, darker on the 
forehead. Tail inclining to dull black at the extremity. 
No. 10, Vol. n. 
2s 
