90 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



ing contrast to that of the lower parts of the 

 island. 



On the edge of the forest we found a large 

 colony of fruit bats, which were hanging from the 

 upper branches of the trees. They became very 

 restless as soon as we approached, many taking 

 to flight with shrill cries. Others climbed about 

 from branch to branch, using the long claw on their 

 wings as well as their feet, and hanging head down- 

 wards. 



In the depth of the forest we came on a small 

 party of lemurs,* which were feeding on the fruit 

 of a densely foliaged tree. I shot one for identi- 

 fication, but was unwilling to sacrifice more of 

 these charming little creatures, which showed not 

 the slightest fear, but merely looked down at us 

 with their great black eyes, and uttered continually 

 their characteristic grunting noise. 



While walking quietly along under the trees 

 on the look-out for pigeons I surprised a family 

 party of tenrecs, which were rooting amongst the 

 dead leaves for insects. These creatures are much 

 like large hedgehogs in appearance, but their 

 spines are much softer ; moreover, they have the 

 same disagreeable stench as the fruit bats, and 

 those I brought on board were not favourably 

 received by my companions. In spite of its un- 

 pleasant smell the tenrec is used as an article of 

 food in Madagascar, and is greatly appreciated 



* Lemur mayoltensis. 



