CHAP. XVI. 
NOTICES OF THE LEMUR. 
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It was tied to a boat on the deck; and in a basket under 
the fore part of the boat it found a partial shelter from the rain 
and the wind. It conveyed its food, boiled rice and fruit, to 
its mouth by the hand. It was gentle and sociable, seemingly 
grateful for any trifling notice or kindness. I frequently gave 
it water, which it lapped like a dog, and occasionally a ba¬ 
nana ; and in a short time it seemed to watch my movements 
whenever I came on deck, j umping on my arm or shoulder, if 
I approached the boat; but was most delighted when, attaching 
THE RUFFED LEMUR. 
a long line to the short cord tied round its body, I loosened it 
from the boat and allowed it to run up the cords or rigging, 
which it ascended with astonishing ease and speed, sitting 
sometimes with apparent pleasure on the extremity of the 
yard. It was scrupulously clean, and seemed unable to 
endure any tar or other dirt on its shaggy coat. One 
morning, during a heavy gale of wind, when there was 
much motion in the ship, and great confusion and noise 
among the sailors, the lemur seemed unusually excited, and 
F F 4 
