THE ENDRINAS. 109 
Matives exclaimed, ‘Indry izy.)* ( Phere he is!”), “Dr, A- 
Vinson says that, in passing through the great Eastern forest, 
he was assailed for two days by the incessant clamour of these 
Lemurs, which seem to keep together in large companies, but 
are invisible in the dense foliage. ‘The natives have a super- 
stitious veneration for these animals, and consider them as 
sacred. ‘They believe that their ancestors change after death 
into Babakodto, and that the trees where these animals live 
supply infallible remedies against otherwise incurable diseases. 
The people say that it is very dangerous to kill these Lemurs 
with spears, because if a spear is hurled against one of them it 
seizes the spear in its flight without being itself hurt, and in its 
turn stabs with certain aim those attacking it. They also relate 
that when the female has borne a young one, she takes the 
little creature in her arms and tosses it to her mate, who is 
seated on a neighbouring tree, and that he throws it back to 
the female. If the little one does not fall to the ground after 
being subjected to this exercise for a dozen times, the parents 
bring it up with the greatest care; but, if the contrary event 
happens, they abandon it, not even troubling to pick it up. 
In certain parts of Madagascar, says M. Pollen, the people 
employ the Aadakdto in chasing birds, and they say that it 
renders as good service asa Dog. These animals, although 
principally fruit-eaters, do not disdain small birds, which they 
catch with much skill, in order to eat their brains. 
This Lemuroid is probably the best known to travellers in 
Madagascar, at least by ear, as no one can travel along the 
most frequented route in the island, that from Tamatave to Anta- 
nanarivo, without often hearing the cries of these animals as he 
passes through the great forest. They are not often seen, but 
their long drawn-out melancholy cries are frequently heard, a 
