XVII THE SIFAKAS 539 
animal, “ Amboanala,” signifies “ dog of the 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 pouch, 
which is described as different from that of Apes; the mechanism 
must also differ from that of Megaladapis, 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 length. It is 
arboreal and social, travelling in large companies. As is the 
ease with the Propithecus, the natives of Madagascar hold the 
Indri in awe and veneration. It is curious that the name 
Lemur or ghost is peculiarly applicable to the Indri or Babakote 
in another sense from that which led to its adoption by Linnaeus. 
The natives, in fact, believe that men after death become Indris. 
Naturally, therefore, these Lemurs have reaped the advantage of 
this superstition in almost perfect immunity from destruction. 
Their “long-drawn-out, melancholy cries” are probably at the 
root of much of the ghostly terrors which they inspire. 
The genus Avahis' has but a single species, A. /aniger, which 
is the smallest of this sub-family. It is a foot long without the 
tail. The Avahi has a long tail (15 inches in length) like 
Propithecus. The outer incisors are larger than the inner, thus 
differentiating the genus from Propithecus. The molars of the 
upper jaw are quadricuspidate, of the lower jaw five cusped. This 
genus has only eleven pairs of ribs instead of the twelve of 
Indris and Propithecus. The Avahis, unlike the Sifakas and 
Indrinas, lead a solitary life, or go about in pairs. They are, 
moreover, completely nocturnal. 
The genus Propithecus is characterised by the fur being rather 
sulky than woolly, which latter is the kind of fur found in the 
two other genera of the sub-family. They are also rather 
larger animals, the body reaching a length of nearly 2. feet. 
The tail is long as in Avahis ; the inner incisors are larger than 
the 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 
1 Syn. MWicrorhynchus. 
