^^ 



AY JvA \ I]. — Chcivomp Madaf/ascariensis. 



The Aye-Aye of Madagascar is one of tlie rarest of animals, and is very curiously 

 formed, the teeth being shaped much like those of the rats and mice, \\\\\V) its paws 

 are those of the monkey. Even in Madagascar it is extremely scarce, a})pcaring to be 

 limited to the western portions of the country and to have escaped even the quick 

 eyes of the natives. Sonncrat, the naturalist, was the first to discover it, and 

 when he shoAved his prize to the natives, they exhibited great astonishment at the 

 sight of an unknown animal, and their exclamations of sui'}:)rise are said to have given 

 the name of Aye-aye to the creature. The name '' Cheiromys," signifies ** Handed 

 Mouse," and is given to the animal because it bears some resemblance to a large 

 mouse or rat which is fm-nished with hand-like paws instead of feet. 



It is probable that the natural food of tlie Aye-aye, like that of the preceding 

 animals, is of a mixed character, and that it eats fruit and insects indiscriminately. 

 In captivity it usually fed on boiled rice, which it picked up in minute portions 

 But in its wihl state it is said to search the trees for insects as \\q\\ as fruits, and 

 to drag their larvae from their concealment by means of its delicate fingers. Buds 



3U 



