THE AYE-AYE. 



(Cheiromys madagascariensis. ) 



THE aye-aye is one of those abnormal forms that 

 can with difficulty be referred to any one class of 

 animals, as it partakes of the distinctive characters 

 of several, and on that account proves so puzzling 

 to systematic zoologists. By several eminent 

 naturalists of the present day, the aye-aye is 

 considered the connecting link between the quad- 

 rumanous and rodent types ; while by others it is 

 thought to belong to the former tribe, being placed 

 in their arrangement of species immediately after 

 the gallagos. As its name implies, this creature is 

 a native of Madagascar, where it was discovered 

 several years ago by Sonnerat. It appeared to be 

 unknown to the natives, as they expressed much 

 surprise at the sight of his specimen, and seemed 

 to have no previous knowledge of it. In size the 

 aye-aye measures about three feet from nose to end 

 of tail, thus about equalling a moderate-sized cat 



