GALEOPITHECUS and GALEOPTERUS, the scientific names of the two species of Colugo (q.v.) or Cobego, commonly known as flying-lemurs and alone representing the family Gale opteridae of the Insectivora (q.v.). The characters of the family are as follows : Herbivorous, climbing, unguiculate mammals, provided with a very extensive flying-membrane, and having the dental formula i. , p.4., total 34. The lower incisors are directed forwards and have a comb-like structure of their crowns, while the outermost of these teeth and the canines are double-rooted, being in these respects, taken together, quite un like those of all other mammals; the cheek-teeth have numerous sharp cusps; and there is the normal replacement of milk-molars by premolars. In the skull the orbit is surrounded by bone, and the tympanic has a bulla and an ossified external meatus. The ulna and fibula are to some extent inclined backwards; the carpus has a scapho-lunar; and the feet are five-toed. The hemispheres of the brain are short and but slightly convoluted; the stomach is simple; there is a large caecum; the testes are received into inguinal pouches; the uterus is two-horned ; the placenta is discoidal; and there are two pairs of pectoral teats. A single off spring is produced at a birth.
There are two well-marked species, Galeopterus temminckii, ranging from Burma, Siam and the Malay Peninsula to Borneo, Sumatra and Java, and Galeopitlaecus volans, of the Philippine group. The former, which is nearly 2 ft. in total length, is dis tinguished by its larger upper incisors, shorter ears and smaller skull. In both species not only are the long and slender limbs con nected by a broad integumentary expansion extending outwards from the sides of the neck and body, but there is also a web be tween the fingers and toes reaching as far as the base of the claws; and the hind-limbs are further connected by a similar expansion passing outwards along the back of the feet to the base of the claws, and, inwardly, involving the long tail to the tip, forming a true interfemoral membrane, as in bats.