_Lemur catta_, Linn., S. N., i., p. 45, no. 4 (1766); Schl., Mus. Pays.
Bas., vii., p. 314 (1876); Milne-Edw. et Grandid., Hist. Nat. Madag.,
Mamm., Atlas, pls. 171-172 (1890).
CHARACTERS.--Inside of ears naked; no ruff round the face; top of head
greyish-black; face, rest of head, lower surface of body, and inner side of
the limbs pearl-grey; upper surface sienna-grey. Tail pearl-grey, banded
with from ten to twelve black rings, distinguishing it from all other
Lemurs, which have the tail of one colour. Length of body and tail
together, 40 inches.
{77}On the fore-arm above the wrist-joint there is, in both sexes, a
comb-like bony outgrowth (becoming in old males a prominent spur)
continuous with the palm of the hand by means of a narrow strip of black,
hairless skin; near it there is a cluster of long stiff hairs over an
underlying sweat-gland, the function of which is still unknown.
DISTRIBUTION.--This species inhabits chiefly the rocky and treeless regions
of the south and south-western borders of the Betsileo province of
Madagascar. It is, however, not entirely confined to these treeless
districts, for it has been recorded as occurring in bands of some numbers
in the neighbouring forest regions.
HABITS.--The Ring-tailed Lemur--one of the handsomest species of the genus
and the only one in which the tail is not uniformly coloured--is of gentle
manners, active, and graceful. According to the notes of the Rev. G. A.
Shaw, as recorded in a paper in the Zoological Society's "Proceedings," it
lives among the rocks where a few stunted trees occur, and over this rocky
ground it can easily travel, in places where it is impossible for the
natives, although bare-footed, to follow it. The palms of its hands and
feet are smooth and leather-like, enabling the animal to apply them firmly
to the wet rocks. This Lemur feeds on bananas and wild figs. In the winter
its chief sustenance consists of the prickly-pear, peeling off the spiny
skin with its long upper canines. According to the same observer, this
Lemur rarely drinks water; indeed, it is said that the species living in
the west of Madagascar, including two kinds of White Lemur, subsist without
water, while those on the east coast invariably drink water with their
meals. When fighting, the Ring-tailed Lemur scratches vigorously and
strikes out with its hands.
{78}THE HATTOCKS. GENUS MIXOCEBUS.
_Mixocebus_, Peters, M. B. Akad. Berlin, 1874. p. 690.
This genus contains but one species, whose characters are therefore those
of the genus also.