QUADRUMANA : LEMUROIDEA. 79 



somewhat doubtful. The Aye-Aye furnishes us with an ex- 

 ample of a synthetic or comprehensive type ; that is, a type 



FIG. 79. 



Aye-Aye, Chiromys madagascarensis, Olivier. 



which combines within itself characteristics which belong 

 to two or more distinct groups. This strange animal in- 

 habits Madagascar, and has a body about the size of that 

 of a cat, and its tail is long and bushy, and curves down- 

 ward. In the form, structure, and mode of growth of its 

 incisor teeth, the Aye- Aye is like the Rodents ; but in the 

 form of its head and body, and in the opposable thumb of 

 its hind feet, it is allied to the Quadrumana. The body 

 is covered with short and soft grayish hair, and longer 

 hairs of a very dark brown color. Its hand is unlike that 

 of any other animal, being especially remarkable on ac- 

 count of the slenderaess of the middle finger. So far as is 

 known, the Aye- Aye is nocturnal in its habits. It readily 

 climbs trees, and sometimes suspends itself by its hind feet 

 head downward, in which position it is said to comb its 

 tail with its long fingers ! Its food is believed to be mainly 

 grubs which it gets from beneath the bark of trees. The 

 Aye-Aye is the type of a distinct family CheiromyidsB. 



