Evening journal., 1896-10-13
MEN AND MONKEYS.
Ti4z owARFs AND THE LEMURs OF
MADAGASCAR.


n,twecn Monkeys and Lower orders.
There are al least two distinct tribes
Of Malagasy dwarfs who are among
the smallest people in the world. The
Kincs average only 3 feet 6 inches in
height. They are rather light in color,
haye remarkably long arms and are
bold in defending their territory, using
smear and bow. OF pastoral habits, they
excel in certain handicrafts They dwell
in The southern center Of tho island, at
o high elevation above the sea.
Even more monkeylike are the Be-
hcsy, who occupy a densoly wooded
country among tho hills of Bcmaraha
They Jump from tree 70 treo just like
monkeys and are not easily followed,
inasmrch rs thcir territory is exceed
ingly rocky. They are very timid, and
ii is snid that they die Of fright when
captured. In the northern part of Mad
agascar is tho most remarkable natural /
fortress in tho world. It is occupied by |
a tribe who call themselves the people !
of the rocks. The fortress is a lofty |
and Irccipitoua rock, of enormous size,
600 feet high and eight square miles
in area. It's sides arc so steep that it
cannot be climbed without artificial
means. Within it is hollow, and the
only entrance is by subtoranoan
passage, portion Of which is so narrow
/ Tint only one person can pass at a time,
whilc on either side Of the path is deep
water.
There is plenty Of room for explora-
ton and fresh discovery in madagascar,
which is the third largest island in the
world. It is nearly four times the size
of England and Wales. having an area
Of 230, 000Equare miles. The most re-
markabe animals found there are the
true lemurs, which exist nowhere else
in the world, though related forms oc-
cur in Africa and India. They are re-
garded by naturalists as links connect
inn tho monkeys with tho lowor mani
mails Thoro arc about 20 species, and
the collection made by Dr. W. u. Alb
bott contains ono that is entirely new
to science. The biggest are about three
feet long.
Ono Of the most remarkable species IS
called the "specter" because it is pure
whito, and in going about at night has
? striking and ghostlilze appearance.
\ Other kinds are black, with bands Of
yellow and red-in fact, they arc very
striking looking animals Roughly
speaking, they are divided into two
= groups-the long tailed and the shor
: tailed. The latter do not survive cap
e tiyity for any length Of time, but th'
}. long tailed ones have been brought Z
;. Europe and have been induced to breel
y in cages, especially peculiar ring tail
- ed species
~ There used to be lemurs in Mort
ne America long ages before man appeare
oe on this continent. Professor Cope, q
.st famous spaleontologist, found the skull
~ one in Colorado few years ago. 1
u regards il as the most precious object
his great collection Of fossils The sku
is not bigger than squirrels Anatl
n. mists classify animals by thoir teei
NJ. more accurately than in any other wa,
x. The jaws of this small lemur are pr
IN vided with q dentition so surprising
ad humanliko that ono might actually IN
On agine the teeth to be those Of mimi
ho ture man.
az ns 1t is thought that the lemurs ms
he have originated on the American cont
on nent and spread westward TO Asia ov
on land route which has since disa
he peared. That is only a speculative th
ory. 1t is practically certain that the
was anciently land connection betwe
,r Madagascar and Africa. A great &c
OF logical convulsion having separated {
the island from the mainland, the lemufs
a Madagascar found conditions fayoral
his for their survival, while elsewhere th
mas disappeared. Thus it comes about Oh
lne , this strange group Of mammals Is
.ts a,s itricted to Madagascar today. They Z
,rs very monkeylike. In fact, they mil
bo called low down monkeys. They j
in trees and feed on fruits and insect
rre- The lemurs wandered aboutin toc
Z By means Of their strong hind legs Il
ha' arc able TO leap from tree 20 tree q
va" % tances of ten feet OF more, so that Il
one look as if they were flying. Occasiona
any they betalze themselves to the groui
walking for short spaces erect and W
ing their arms over their heads in 81
n a way as TO present a remarkable eff
ene Toward nightfall the forests resol
a.l~
fhs eggs Of birds when they can get Tho
ar Though disposed by nature TO be 6
they are quite harmless and tamabl'
some extent in captivity.
At night the woods Of Madagai
ss a, are vocal with the wailing cries Of
lemurs, which sound like the lamei
/, So. tions Of human beings in distress. III
sieb. creatures have heads more foxlike
monkeylike, with sharp muzzles
con- large, expressive eyes. The smal
cp Of species Of lemur is about the size
big rat. Another kind has white wh
lega' ers, and yet another is provided
'rlcts bushy tail, which in repose is usu
coiled around the animals neck Il
ra,S' comforter.
borrowing In India.
$ eA' India is a nation Of pawnshops
- ~ u cordinn to General Booth. The pc