TRUE LEMURS. 
2 I X 
their food as fruits. It is probably owing to this mixed diet that they 
are of a much hardier disposition than are those of the indi'i group, so that 
they flourish in confinement in this country so well as not unfrequently to breed; 
the number of young produced at a bii’th being either one or two. 
In consequence of their arms being longer in pi'oportion to their legs than 
in the indri group, the true lemurs and their allies, when on the ground, are in 
the habit o£ going on all-fours, although capable of taking leaps of great length. 
The true lemurs may be distinguished from the other members of the group to 
THE RING-TAILED LEMUR (f Hat. size). 
which they belong by the length of their snouts, and the large size of their tufted 
ears, as well as by their diurnal habits. 
Ring-Tailed Lemur ( Lemur catta). 
One of the best known, and at the same time the most easily recognised of all 
the true lemurs, is the ring-tailed lemur, represented in the accompanying woodcut. 
This animal, which may be compared in appearance to a very small fox, is of an 
ashy grey colour, darker on the back, and white on the under-parts, as well as on 
the sides of the face, ears, and the middle of the forehead. Its most distinctive 
feature is, however, to be found in the alternate rings of black and white on the 
tail, from which it derives its name. It has no fringe round the face. 
The ring-tailed lemur is found in the central parts of Madagascar, ranging on 
the west coast to Mouroundava, and on the east coast to Andrahoumbe. Like the 
other members of the group, this lemur lives in small parties, and is most active at 
early morning and evening; sleeping during the night with its bushy tail curled 
