FLYING LEMUR, or COLUGO, GateopitheMS, sometimes also called FLYING CAT and FLYING Fox, a genus of mammalia, generallyregarded as constituting a distinct family, galeopithecidce, which, by some naturalists, is placed, as by envier, among the cheiroptera (see BAT), although it is now more commonly associated with the lemurs (q.v ), as by Linmens. There are, indeed, evident affinities both to lemurs and bats, but chiefly to the former, with which the osteological and other anatomical characters generally agree. Along the sides extends an ample membrane or fold of the skin, beginning behind the throat, and including both the fore and hind legs as far as the toes, but leaving them free, and further stretched along both sides of the tail to the tip. In the last particular, it differs from the lateral membrane of the flying squirrels and flying phalangers, and more resembles that of bats; but it widely differs from that of bats in being compara tively thick, and covered on both sides with short thick hair; and still more in leaving the fore-feet free, and not being stretched on lengthened finger-bones. Nor can it be
used for true flight, but only to support the animal in time air like a parachute, enabling it to take enormous leaps of one hundred yards or thereby in an inclined plane. It is not yet satisfactorily determined whether the differences to be observed between the specimens of flying lemurs in collections, are to be regarded as differences of species or of variety. Attempts have been made to distinguish several species, but it is difficult on account of their great similarity. They are from 20 in. to 2 ft. in total length, are natives of the Indian archipelago, inhabiting lofty trees in dense forests, and feeding on small birds' eggs and fruits, as well as on insects. They are nocturnal in their habits. They are very inoffensive, and scarcely attempt to bite even when seized. Their voice resembles the low cackling of a goose. They produce generally two young ones at a birth. The Pelew islanders greatly esteem them as food, but they have a rank unpleasant smell.