THE SIFAKAS 539 



animal, " Ainboanala," .signifies " dog of tlie 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 poucli, 

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

 must also differ i'rom that of Ifegaladajns, 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 lengtli. It is 

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

 case witli the Propithecus, the natives of Madagascar hold the 

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

 Lemur or gliost is peculiarly applicable to the Indri or Babakote 

 in anotiier sense from that wliich led to its adoption by Linnaeus. 

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

 Naturally, therefore, these Lemurs have reaped the advantage of 

 tliis superstition in almost perfect immunity from destruction. 

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

 root of much of the ghostly terrors which they inspire. 



Tlie genus Avahis^ has but a single species, A. lanujcr, which 

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

 tail. The Avalii has a long t;iil (15 inches in length) like 

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

 differentiating the genus from Pwpitliccus. The molars of the 

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

 genus has only ele\en pairs of ribs instead of the twelve of 

 Pidris and Fro2ntheciis. The Avahis, unlike the Sifakas and 

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

 moreover, completely nocturnal. 



The genus Propitltccvs is characterised by the fur being rather 

 silky tlian woollv, which latter is the kind of fur found in the 

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

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

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

 tlie 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 females at 

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

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



^ Svu. MicrorlnincIiHS. 



