THE A YE- A YE. 



43 



distinct order from the rest of the quadrumanous animals. 

 M. Grandidier also thinks that the number of species of 

 lemur is much less than has been supposed, many specimens 

 formerly reckoned as distinct species being only local varieties 

 {Bull. Soc. Geog., Avril 1872, p. 373). 



But there is another quadrumanous animal allied to the 

 Lemurs, and classed as one of the three families in Professor 

 Mivart's sub-order Lemuroidsea, which is one of the most 

 remarkable forms of mammalia to be found in any part of 

 the world. This is the Aye-aye, or Cheiromys Maclagas- 

 cariensis. This animal is the sole representative of the 

 family with which it is classed, and is peculiar to Mada- 

 gascar, From the few specimens available for examination, 

 it is only lately that it has been thoroughly known to 

 naturalists. It was at first supposed to belong to the 

 Eodentia, with which it was classed both by Cuvier and 

 Buffon, but it is now determined to be " an exceedingly 

 specialised form of the lemuroid type." Its organisation 

 presents perhaps one of the most interesting examples of 

 typical forms modified to serve special ends that animal 

 structure can furnish us with. Its food consists of a wood- 

 boring larva, which tunnels beneath the bark of certain 

 hard-wooded trees. To obtain these, the animal is furnished 

 with most powerful chisel-shaped teeth, with which it cuts 

 away the outer bark. As, however, the caterpillar retreats to 

 the end of its hole, one of the fingers of the Aye-aye's fore- 

 hands is slightly lengthened, but considerably diminished in 

 thickness, and is furnished with a hook-like claw. Thus 

 jDrovided, the finger is used as a probe, inserted in the tunnel, 

 and the dainty morsel drawn from its liiding-place. There 

 are also other modifications, all tending to the more perfect 

 accomplishment of the purposes it fulfils in nature ; the eyes 

 being very large to see by night ; the ears expanded widely, 

 and of most delicate membrane, to catch the faint sound of 

 the caterpillar at work ; and the thumbs of the hinder feet, or 

 rather hands, being largely developed to enable the animal to 

 take a firm hold of the tree when at work. It has also been 

 observed that this claw-lilve middle finger is used as a scoop 

 when the creature drinks; being bent so as to separate it 



