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Show 828 DR. J. E. GRAY ON HAPALEMUR SIMUS. [Dec. 6, Carnivorous Mamm. Brit. Mus. p. 177; De Blainville, Osteogr. Viverra, tab. viii. (skull), xi., xii. (other bones). Falanaka, Gray, Ann. & Mag, Nat. Hist. 1870, vol. vi. p. 424. Length of body and head 22 inches, tail 10-J inches, = 3 2 ^ inches. Hab. Madagascar. 0. Notes on Haqiafemur simus, a new Species lately living in the Gardens of the Society. By Dr. J. E. G R A Y, F.R.S. &c. (Plate LII.) Every day, as the osteology of the species is more studied, brings to our knowledge the fact that Mammalia which are so alike in external appearance as not to be distinguishable, prove on the examination of the bones, and especially of the skulls, to belong to very distinct species ; and some even, as in the leaf-nosed Bats and American Tapirs, prove to be very distinct genera. The animal I am about to bring before the Society is an example of this kind among the Lemuridee. Mr. Bartlett during the autumn brought to the British Museum a Lemur which had died in the Society's Gardens to be determined, that its name might be entered in the list of recent accessions ; and I agreed to purchase it for the collection. On the casual inspection of the animal in its dead state I believed it to be a large specimen of Hapalemur griseus. The preserved specimen and skull were exhibited on November the 1st. On examining the animal before it was placed in the public room of the British-Museum collection, I was convinced that it was of a very distinct species from Hapalemur griseus, then in the Museum, and 1 have therefore sent to the Society the following notes showing the distinctions of the two species. I. Nose tapering, narrow in front. Skull-nose tapering, narrow in front; palate dilated behind; series of grinders converging in front ; lower jaw broad and strong in front, with a long symphysis. HAPALEMUR. HAPALEMUR GRISEUS. B.M. Ilapalemur griseus, Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1863, p. 181 ; Mivart, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 613, fig., skull (copied, Catal. Monkeys &c. in B. M . p. 77). II. Nose broad and truncated. Skull-nose very broad, scjuare, truncated in front; palate scarcely wider behind; series of grinders wide apart and nearly parallel; lower jaw weak and narrow in front, with a short symphysis. P R O L E M U R. HAPALEMUR SIMUS, sp. nov. (Plate LII.) B.M. Back iron-grey, with a rufous tinge; the hairs black, with a sub- |
