iSS 



THE ANIMALS OF MADAGASCAR 



Dwarf Lemur. 



they frequent the driest districts of Madagascar, and during the hot season become 

 dormant. 



The dwarf lemur (Microcebus pusillus), sometimes termed the 

 Malagasy rat, is pale grey in general colour, and belongs to an allied 

 group distinguished by the fore-limbs exceeding the hind pair in length. Some- 

 what larger is Coquerel's dwarf lemur (M. coquereli), recognisable by its soft 

 woolly fur, which is greyish brown tinged with yellow in colour. These pigmy 



THE ATE- AYE. 



lemurs, like the last species, build nests, which are firmly constructed of twigs, dry 

 leaves, and grass, measuring about 18 inches in diameter. In these their owners 

 repose comfortably during the day. 



The last, and most aberrant, member of the lemur group is the 

 aye-aye (Chiromys inadagascariensis), long regarded as representing 

 a family by itself, but now considered by some naturalists merely as a Highly 

 specialised genus of the LemuridcB. This large-eyed, bushy-tailed, shaggy-haired, 

 blackish lemur is a weird-looking creature, which in the dark might be mistaken 



Aye-aye. 



