THE SIFAKAS 5 39 



animal, " Amboanala," signifies " dog of the forest/' and is derived 

 not only from the woeful howls of the creature, but from the fact 

 that in certain parts of the island it is used as a dog to chase 

 birds. 



These howls are largely effected by means of a laryngeal pouch, 

 which is described as different from that of Apes ; the mechanism 

 must also differ from that of Megaladapis, inasmuch as the lower 

 jaw is not deep as in that extinct Lemur. The Indri is the 

 largest of Lemurs, measuring about two feet in length. It is 

 arboreal and social, travelling in large companies. As is the 

 case with the Propithecus, the natives of Madagascar hold the 

 Indri in awe and veneration. It is curious that the name 

 Lemur or ghost is peculiarly applicable to the Indri or Babakote 

 in another sense from that which led to its adoption by Linnaeus. 

 The natives, in fact, believe that men after death become Indris. 

 Naturally, therefore, these Lemurs have reaped the advantage of 

 this superstition in almost perfect immunity from destruction. 

 Their "long-drawn-out, melancholy cries" are probably at the 

 root of much of the ghostly terrors which they inspire. 



The genus Avahis 1 has but a single species, A. laniger, which 

 is the smallest of this sub-family. It is a foot long without the 

 tail. The Avahi has a long tail (15 inches in length) like 

 Propithecus. The outer incisors are larger than the inner, thus 

 differentiating the genus from Propithecus. The molars of the 

 upper jaw are quadricuspidate, of the lower jaw five cusped. This 

 genus has only eleven pairs of ribs instead of the twelve of 

 Indris and Propithecus. The Avahis, unlike the Sifakas and 

 Indrinas, lead a solitary life, or go about in pairs. They are, 

 moreover, completely nocturnal. 



The genus Propithecus is characterised by the fur being rather 

 silky than woolly, which latter is the kind of fur found in the 

 two other genera of the sub-family. They are also rather 

 larger animals, the body reaching a length of nearly 2 feet. 

 The tail is long as in Arahis ; the inner incisors are larger than 

 the outer. The " Sifakas," as these Lemurs are termed, have a 

 reputation for gentleness of character, but, as is the case with 

 other animals, the males fight for the possession of the femal 

 the breeding season. They are mainly vegetarian in habit, and 

 travel in large companies. There are at least three species, and 



* J Svn. Micrurhijnchus. 



