220 
LEMURS. 
large round eyes, by which they are enabled to see small objects in the darkest 
nights, they are in the habit of stalking nocturnal moths and beetles when 
settled on the boughs of trees, and then rushing upon and seizing them with a 
final spring. 
Forked Mouse- The largest, and at the same time one of the longest-known of 
Lemur. the mouse-lemurs is the species (C. furcifer) represented on p. 218, 
which takes its name from the black streak running down the middle of the back, 
and dividing on the top of the head so as to form a distinct fork-like mark 
between the eyes. The colour of the remainder of the body is grey, with a black 
tip to the tail. 
This species is found in the forests on both the east and west coasts of Mada¬ 
gascar, though more abundant in the latter region. It is known to the natives as 
the Walouvi; and is not one of those species that hibernate. 
Murine Mouse- This species ( G'. murinus) differs from the preceding by the 
Lemur. absence of the dark stripe down the back. The general colour is a 
pale reddish-grey, with a broad whitish streak up the middle of the face; the 
cheeks and under-parts being also light-coloured, but the slender tail more brown. 
The mouse-lemur represented in the figure on the opposite page, which is often 
described as the myoxine mouse-lemur ( G. niyoxinus), appears to be very closely 
allied to this species. 
Coquerei’s This mouse-lemur (C. coquereli ) is characterised by the soft and 
Mouse-Lemur. WO olly nature of the fur, of which the prevailing colour is greyish- 
brown, tinged with gold. It makes well-formed nests, composed of twigs, dead 
leaves, and grass, and having a diameter of some 18 inches. In this nest it sleeps 
during the day, to prowl forth at night in search of food. 
Brown Mouse- Another mouse-lemur ( G.. milii), which is one of the hibernating 
Lemur. species, takes its name from M. Milius, a governor of Reunion, in the 
first quarter of the present century, by whom two of these creatures were sent to 
Paris. They were described by Frederic Cuvier in the year 1821 as the maki nain, 
or small lemur. The species is some 9 inches in length, exclusive of the long tail; 
and it is of a greyish-brown colour, with black whiskers, and white throat and 
under-parts; the fur being silky. The specimens sent to Paris throve for some 
time, and became so tame that they were allowed to leave their cages. They 
would, however, only play about if the apartment was kept perfectly dark and 
still; and when this was done they could be heard frolicking in high glee. During 
the day they rolled themselves up into a ball and slept. 
Dwarf Mouse- The smallest of all is the dwarf mouse-lemur (C. pusillus), not 
Lemur. unfrequently referred to as the Madagascar rat, on account of its 
having been described by Buffon under the name of le rat de Madagascar. The 
head and body of this diminutive representative do not exceed 4 inches in length, 
while the tail measures 6 inches. The prevailing colour is a pale grey; the 
chin and under-parts being pale yellow, and the outer surface of the ears light 
brown, while a white streak runs up the nose and between the eyes. The eyes 
themselves are surrounded by black rims, giving to the face the appearance of 
wearing a pair of spectacles. 
The dwarf mouse-lemur builds beautifully constructed nests of twigs, lined 
