. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. PECULIARITIES OF THE LEMUROIDA. 213 is called, rotating, and also of bending. Again, the upper arm is loosely but firmly attached to the shoulders and neck, so as to admit of great range of motion, so what with the bending and rotation of the fore-arm, and the mobility and cushioned state of the fingers, these creatures possess a wonderful ;ipparatus, suited for extreme action and safe holding on. The abUity to rest on the hind legs and jump J ike a Kangaroo (see page 5), which is peculiar to some kinds, depends also upon peculiar structur
. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. PECULIARITIES OF THE LEMUROIDA. 213 is called, rotating, and also of bending. Again, the upper arm is loosely but firmly attached to the shoulders and neck, so as to admit of great range of motion, so what with the bending and rotation of the fore-arm, and the mobility and cushioned state of the fingers, these creatures possess a wonderful ;ipparatus, suited for extreme action and safe holding on. The abUity to rest on the hind legs and jump J ike a Kangaroo (see page 5), which is peculiar to some kinds, depends also upon peculiar structures. The ankle-bones are very long in these, so long, indeed, as to make the foot resemble that of a Frog when jimiping more than that of any other animal. The long ankle-bone acts as part of a lever, and enables the muscles of the back of the leg to act on the foot so as to project the creature high in the air, or for many feet from one bough to another, or along the giound Theie is nothing like this in the Monkeys. Now, the woolly fur of the Lemuroids, and then cjlmdiical woolly tails, at first sight appear to be encumbrances to an active animal which lives m the tiopics, but they aie all extremely chilly creatures, and love heat; moreover, it is possible that seveie falls ma% lie itndeitd less injui'ious by the deadening influence of a soft fur. The tail is a wonderful apparatus in some kinds, and barely exists in â others, being, however, never prehensile even when longest and strongest. Probably it is used as a kind of adjuster of movements in rapid exercise, and certainly it is a great comfort to many, for several kinds like to curl it over their backs, or round their necks, like a sable boa, whilst they are asleep, or basking in the sun. In one kind it is supplied with a marvellous set of tendons, and, indeed, to such an extent of complexity, that it would appear that Nature had lavished mechanical a])pliances to every joint without any very definite use. It is remarkabl
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