THE RED-RUFFED LEMUR (_L. ruber_) is a very well-marked variety of the same species, and may easily be recognised by the ears, ruff and whole upper surface of body being dark rusty-red, with the outer surface of thighs and legs white; or, the ears, ruff and whole upper surface (except a white patch on the back of the neck) may be dark brown, with a white garter on each ankle; otherwise it may be entirely black. It is this variety which we have figured on Plate VII. DISTRIBUTION.--Throughout the north-east of Madagascar. HABITS.--The Ruffed Lemur, called by the natives "Varikossi," has a loud, harsh and powerful voice, which can be heard for a long distance. II. THE BLACK LEMUR. LEMUR MACACO. _Lemur macaco_, Linn., S. N., i., p. 44 (1766); Schl. Mus. Pays. Bas., vii., p. 302 (1876); Milne-Edwards et Grandid., H. N. Madag., Mamm., pls. 131, 132 (1890). _Lemur niger_, Schreb., Säugeth., pl. 40 A (1775). _Lemur leucomystax_, Bartlett, P. Z. S., 1862, p. 347, pl. xli. (female). _Varecia nigra_, Gray, P. Z. S., 1863, p. 136. {70}CHARACTERS.--Ears tufted, with long hairs continuing down the side of the neck to the angle of the mouth. MALE.--Entirely black. FEMALE.--Formerly described as a distinct species, and known as the White-whiskered Lemur (_L. leucomystax_). Face and lips black, darkest on the nose, round the eyes and hinder part of the head; forehead blackish-grey; whiskers and ear-tufts white, almost concealing the ears. General colour of body rich ferruginous brown, darker on the middle of the back; arms, legs and neck reddish-yellow; tail whiter; throat, under side of body and inner side of limbs creamy-white. There is a considerable amount of variation in this species. Some individuals have the lower back and base of tail white; the belly greyish-white, the feet brown, and the toes black. In others the black frontal spot is wanting, the back of the head being reddish-white; the basal half of the tail is dark orange-red, remainder of the body rich rusty-brown. On the fore-arm is a cluster of stiff hairs, which occurs in association with a large underlying sweat-gland, whose function is not yet understood. DISTRIBUTION.--The north-west coast of Madagascar. HABITS.--The special habits of this species of Lemur are unknown, but in all probability they agree with those of the group in general, as given under the heading of the genus. It is said to utter a coarse grunting call-note. The young males are born black like the father, and the young females have the colour of the mother. Dr. Sclater has observed that in specimens in confinement in the Zoological Gardens, in London, the female carried her young one transversely across her belly, its long tail passing round her back and then round its own neck. {71}III. THE MONGOOSE LEMUR. LEMUR MONGOZ.