Chapter III: Milne-Edwards' Sportive-Lemur. Lepidolemur Edwardsi

_Lepidolemur edwardsi_, Forsyth Major.[5]

CHARACTERS.--"Similar to _L. ruficaudatus_; upper part of head grey; ears membranaceous, but encircled on the inner and posterior side by an incomplete belt of dark brown colour, which distinguishes the species from _L. ruficaudatus_; shoulders and outer side of the fore-limbs reddish-brown. Back greyish-brown, lighter on the outer side of the hind-limbs; an uninterrupted dark dorsal streak from the middle of the back to the centre of {88}the forehead is very conspicuous between the shoulders. Breast, inner sides of the fore- and hind-limbs, and lower surface of the body greyish-white.

"The skull long and narrow; molars and pre-molars large, especially transversely; orbits small, yet larger than in _L. ruficaudatus_; the mastoidal portion of the ear-capsules and squamosal region of the skull conspicuously inflated. Bony palate more elongate than in _L. mustelinus_; par-occipital process present."

DISTRIBUTION.--Betsako, north-west of Madagascar.

IV. THE SMALL-TOOTHED SPORTIVE-LEMUR. LEPIDOLEMUR MICRODON.

_Lepidolemur microdon_, Forsyth Major.

CHARACTERS.--"Somewhat similar to the Weasel-like Lemur (_L. mustelinus_) in coloration, but having the back and the outer portion of the shoulder and fore-limbs bright chestnut, passing into russet on the back (darker between the shoulders), on the outer parts of the hind-limbs and tail, as well as on the top of the head, where it is washed with greyish. A dark, dorsal stripe from the centre of the forehead to the middle of the back, where it is darkest. Breast and under surface of body yellowish-grey.

"Skull markedly distinguished from that of the other species by the small size of the molars; pre-molars not diminished in size; a depression at the base of the nasals; the bony palate more elongated than in _L. mustelinus_."

DISTRIBUTION.--The eastern districts of the Betsileo province, Central Madagascar.

PLATE IX.

{89}SECTION B. (SPECIES MINORES.)

V. THE ROUND-HEADED SPORTIVE-LEMUR. LEPIDOLEMUR GLOBICEPS.

_Lepidolemur globiceps_, Forsyth Major.

CHARACTERS.--"The smallest of the Sportive-Lemurs. Similar to _Lepidolemur ruficaudatus_, but less rufous down the fore-limbs; the tail drab colour.

"Skull very characteristic; the brain-case broad, high, and globose, the facial region short; the premaxillæ more reduced than in any other species; the external auditory channel very large; the occipital region less vertical than in the species of Section A."

DISTRIBUTION.--Ambulisatra, south-west Madagascar.

VI. GRANDIDIER'S SPORTIVE-LEMUR. LEPIDOLEMUR GRANDIDIERI.

_Lepilemur mustelinus_, Gray (nec Geoffr.), P. Z. S., 1863, p. 144.

_Lepidolemur grandidieri_, Forsyth Major.

CHARACTERS.--"General colour cinnamon; head greyish; an indistinct median dorsal streak from the forehead along the back; inner side of the limbs and under side of the body yellowish-grey.

"Skull remarkable for the large size of its orbits, and for the anterior convergence of its upper dental cheek-series being greater than in the other members of the group."

DISTRIBUTION.--North-west Madagascar.