86 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



is distinguished from all the other small species, 

 because its membrane forms, as well as that of 

 the Taguan, a projecting angle extremely acute 

 behind the wrist. 

 Lastly, M. Geoffroy has also with justice separated 

 from this genus 



The Aye-Aye, Geoffr. {Cheiromys, Cuv.) 



In which the lower incisors being still more com- 

 pressed, and above all more extended from front to 

 rear than in the Squirrels, resemble the sock of a 

 plough ; their feet have all five toes, four of which 

 in front are excessively elongated, and in this num- 

 ber the medius is much more slender than the others. 

 In the hind feet the thumb is opposable to the other 

 toes ; so that in this respect, among the Rodentia, 

 they are what the Sarigues are among the Carnas- 

 siers. 



But one species of the Aye- Aye is known, and 

 was discovered at Madagascar by Sonnerat. 



Sciurus Madagascariensis, Gm. Buff. Sup. VII. lxviii. 



As large as a Hare ; of a brown, mixed with 

 yellow, with a long and thick tail, furnished 

 with thick black bristles ; the ears perfectly 

 naked. It is a nocturnal animal, whose move- 

 ments are painful, and which burrows under 

 ground. It makes use of its slender toe to 

 carry the aliments to its mouth. 



