— 336 — 



ihiok Yilass as of enhvined roots, also covered with a 

 thkk layer apparently of the same formation as that 

 ifuund on the stumps. 



]}r Ayres has not hesitated to express the opinion 

 thaD thr se are the fossil remains of an extensive forest, 

 and probably belonged to the Palm or the Vacoa tree. 

 A few specimens have been presented to the Society, 

 but not of the sixe described by Dr Ayres; those would 

 iiave been extremely difficult to remove. 



Some indeed, are hollow, but others are solid and 

 very heavy, and when sawn across, the interior re- 

 •sembles, a medullary canal, smoothed, polished like 

 marble, and as if petrified. 



Dr Ayres also presented to the Society several inter- 

 woven shells, broken by the sea, and the greater part 

 containing foran^iniferous deposits, some free, some ag- 

 glomerated and others incrusted. 



The President read a detailed account of the habits 

 and conformation of the Cfteromys Madagascariensis 

 (^Aye-Aye,) of which he was fortunate enough to ob- 

 tain a living specimen which attracted the attention 

 and curiosity of the members present at the meeting. 



This aniiKal of which specimens are very rarely to be 

 seen in Europe was made the subjt'ct of an inlerestino- 

 study by the honorable Mr Sandwith. In the opinion 

 of our President its place is with the quadrumanes, 

 next to the genus Lemur of which it even forms part. 

 At all events the individual has been foi warded to Pro- 

 fessor Owen in London to be submitted to a closer and 

 more careful examination, the result of which will be 

 communicated to us hereafter. 



The name of Aye-Aye as we have heard it pronoun- 

 ced by natives of RLadagascar in the language of the 

 country, was given to it from the cry whirh is sponta- 

 neously uttered at the sight of tliis animal by the inha-- 

 bitants. Moreover, under the impression of a most cn- 

 nous superstition, the native of Madagascar stops when- 

 «ver he. meets with an Aye-Aye which generally roves 

 about at night From time immem.nrial it has beeii 

 said that the person who m^ets with it in the forest 

 is certain to make his fortune. It is therefore easy tj 

 uuierstaiid that on bekoldi«ij qah^ a startling sensa 



