LEMUR, the name of the typical genus of the sub-family Lenturinx. Habitat, Madagascar and the adjacent islands. It contains many species. Gen eric characteristics: Long snout, small flat skull, long body, with narrow flanks. Hind limbs rather longer than the fore, long furry tail, hands and feet short, with a broad great toe; ears tufted or hairy, and moderate in length. In some kinds the head is surrounded by a ruff of fur; the color varies even in indi viduals of the same species. The true lemurs are diurnal arboreal animals, principally fnigivorous, but feeding occa sionally on birds' eggs, and even small birds.
The Galeopithecidx or flying lemurs are represented by a single genus includ ing a few species. The flying membrane or patagium, from which their peculiar characteristics are derived, connects the fore and hind limbs, extending along the sides of the body and of the neck, and also joins the hind limbs and tail. The
membrane also unites the digits of the foot, and is hairy on both sides. The fore limbs are longer and more powerful than the hind limbs. These forms are arboreal in their habits, and make short flying leaps from tree to tree, the mem brane acting like a parachute in sup porting them during their flight or leap through the air. They are fruit-eaters, but also prey upon insects and birds. They are nocturnal in habits; and when at rest suspend themselves from trees by the limbs, the body and head being pen dent. The mammary glands are four in number and are placed on the breast. All other Quadrumana possess only two mammEe. The most familiar species is the Galeopithecus volitans of Java and the neighboring islands. It measures about 20 inches in length.