in zoology, a genus of quadrupeds belonging to the order of primates, the characters of which are these: There are four fore-teeth in the upper jaw, the intermediate ones being remote; and six long, compressed, parallel teeth in the under jaw; the dog-teeth are solitary, and the grinders are somewhat labated. There are five species, viz.

Vol. II., No. 67.

1. The tardigradus, is a small animal, about eight inches long; and is found in Ceylon. The head is roundish, with a prominent nose; the legs are long and thick; and the feet resemble those of a monkey; the eyes are round, and near each other; the ears are long, and situate very low on the head. The hair on the top of the head, the ears, the neck, the shoulders, the back, the sides, and the outer parts of the thighs and legs, are of a reddish ash-colour; there is a white line betwixt the ears; the under jaw, the throat, the breast, and the belly, are mixed with white and an ash colour. It has no tail. This animal is of a very singular construction. It is perhaps longer in proportion to its thickness than any other quadruped: But its natural history is but imperfectly known.

2. The mongoz, is of a greyish colour above, and white below; his body is about a foot and a half in length; and the tail is as long as the body. This animal is very troublesome when kept in a domestic state. He takes every opportunity of escaping, and flies to the woods in quest of fruits, and it is very difficult to catch him. He bites in a cruel manner those with whom he is least acquainted. He has a great aversion at cold and moisture. He lives upon bread and fruits. His motions are brisk and lively. He is a native of Madagascar.

3. The macaco has a long tail, with about 30 alternate rings of black and white, and a barbed collar. He is about a foot and four inches long, and the tail is longer than the body. His general figure very much resembles that of a monkey, excepting the head, which is somewhat triangular. The macaco is a beautiful and elegant animal. Although his figure resembles the monkey, his dispositions and manners are very different. He is gentle and inoffensive in a domestic state. In a natural state, he is fond of society: In the island of Madagascar, troops of 30 or 40 of them are generally found together in the woods.

4. The catta has likewise a long tail, with black and white rings. This is a very gentle animal; it lives upon fruits and roots; its motion is slow; and it makes a placid murmuring noise like a cat. It is likewise a native of Madagascar.

5. The volans, resembles a bat, being furnished with a strong membrane, like that animal, by which it is enabled to fly. It is a native of Asia; but its history is not sufficiently known.