270 TRANS MIGRA TION OF SO ULS. 



them, and so crocodiles' eggs are produced." * Among the 

 Antankarana, in the extreme north of Madagascar, the people 

 believe that the spirits of their chiefs pass into crocodiles, 

 those of inferior people being transformed into other animals ; 

 and doubtless this belief leads to their being unmolested 

 except in the cases already mentioned. A similar belief is 

 also held by the BetsiMo. 



The belief in a kind of transmigration of souls is also con- 

 nected with other animals besides the crocodile. The pretty 

 species of lemur called Babacoote, is believed by the Betani- 

 mina tribe to be an embodiment of the spirits of their an- 

 cestors, and therefore they look with horror upon killing 

 them. They have as much repugnance to killing the harm- 

 less and timid little Aye-aye, so interesting to naturalists, 

 although it is not quite clear that it is from the same notion 

 respecting them. Accordingly, it is very difficult to obtain 

 one, as the natives believe that any one killing an Aye-aye 

 will die within the year, and that evil will follow from their 

 even seeing one of them. Dr. Sandwith, who procured the 

 first specimen sent to England, from which the creature was 

 described by Professor Owen, was only able to overcome this 

 dread by offering the large sum of fifty dollars for a single 

 animal. 



The spirits of those who die unburied are believed to be 

 doomed to associate with, if not to become, wild cats, owls, 

 and bats. And there is much the same opinion with regard 

 to the spirits of certain criminals, especially those who are 

 killed for supposed sorcery. The above-mentioned animals 

 are therefore all of evil omen, and in most parts of the 

 country the people look with horror upon the keeping of a 

 wild or native cat, those who have one in their houses being 

 regarded as familiar with the black art. This cat is called 

 ledry, and is a beautifully marked animal, with stripings of 

 black on a grey ground. The European cat, on the other 

 hand, which is called s&ka, is rather prized, and fetches a 

 good price in the markets. 



There is also in many parts of the country a dislike to 

 goats, and also to pigs. Bepeated proclamations have been 

 * Antananarivo Annual, No. i. p. 16. 



