180 MOSTLY MAMMALS 



naturalists think that the almost forgotten Danbentonia 

 ought to be resuscitated, and the familiar Chiromys 

 abolished. This, however, is a matter which may be left 

 for the specialists to settle among themselves. 



But it is not with regard to its scientific name alone 

 that the creature has been unfortunate ; a difference of 

 opinion having arisen as to its right to the name " aye- 

 aye," by which it has been universally known since 

 Sonnerat's time. That traveller, it appears, had at first 

 two living specimens captured on the west coast of 

 Madagascar ; and when these were seen by the natives 

 of the east coast (where the species- is unknown), they 

 ejaculated "aye-aye" — or more probably "hai-hai" — which 

 seems, not unnaturally, to have been regarded as the 

 native name of the animal. At least as early as i860 

 it was, however, suggested that in place of being the 

 animal's name, it was merely an exclamation of surprise 

 at the sight of a strange and unknown creature. And 

 this view of the case is maintained to be correct by 

 Mr. Shaw, a missionary who resided for many years in 

 Madagascar. On the other hand, another missionary, 

 Mr. Baron, affirms that the name " hai-hai " is derived 

 from the creature's peculiar cry. 



When those who have the best opportunities for 

 deciding arrive at such opposite conclusions, it is difficult 

 for others to form a judgment. I have, however, con- 

 sulted a naturalist familiar with Madagascar, who tells 

 me that "hai" is undoubtedly the Malagasy expression 

 of surprise or wonderment ; and that as the aye-aye 

 is a shy and rare creature, seldom seen even by the 

 natives of the districts where it is found, and then 

 regarded with superstitious awe, the colloquial expression 

 of wonderment may well have become its accepted name. 



