No. 27 Macacus Carbonarius. — The Black-faced Crab-eating Monkey
Habitat.—Burmah.
Description.—In all respects the same as the last, except that its face is blackish, with conspicuously white eyelids.
Family Lemuridæ
The Indian members of this family belong to the sub-family named by Geoffroy Nycticebinæ.
Genus Nycticebus
No. 28. NYCTICEBUS TARDIGRADUS.
The Slow-paced Lemur (Jerdon’s No. 10).
Native Name.—Sharmindi billi, Hindi.
Habitat.—Eastern Bengal, Assam, Garo Hills, Sylhet, Arracan.—Horsfield.
Loris gracilis and Nycticebus tardigradus.
Description.—Dark ashy grey, with a darker band down middle of back, beneath lighter grey; forehead in some dark, with a narrow white stripe between the eyes, disappearing above them; ears and round the eye dark; tail very short.—Jerdon.
Size.—Length about 14 to 15 inches; tail 5/8 of an inch.
Nocturnal in its habits; sleeping during the day in holes of trees, and coming out to feed at night. Sir William Jones describes one kept by him for some time; it appeared to have been gentle, though at times petulant when disturbed; susceptible of cold; slept from sunrise to sunset rolled up like a hedgehog. Its food was chiefly plantains, and mangoes when in season. Peaches, mulberries, and guavas, it did not so much care for, but it was most eager after grasshoppers, which it devoured voraciously. It was very particular in the performance of its toilet, cleaning and licking its fur. Cuvier also notices this last peculiarity, and with regard to its diet says it eats small birds as well as insects. These animals are occasionally to be bought in the Calcutta market. A friend of mine had a pair which were a source of great amusement to his guests after dinner. (See Appendix C.)
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