THE PRIMATES EXCEPT MAN 



115 



aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis (Fig. 38) a peculiar and 

 little known creature which lives in the dense forests and bam- 

 boo brakes of Madagascar. Its food consists probably of grubs, 

 plant juices and fruits, the two former being extracted after 

 the powerful incisiform teeth have torn off- the bark. The two 

 halves of the mandible, as in the Kangaroo, can be separated 

 somewhat and thus allow a little space between the chisel-like 

 teeth. The dental formula is probably best represented thus: 



1 o' c Y' P o' M f' tota118 " 



The front teeth of both jaws are long, curved and possess 

 persistent pulps. As in Rodents the enamel is largely upon the 



Fig. 38. — Dentition of Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis, Gmelin; 9.815-1). 

 Note the rodent-like front teeth and the degenerate and much worn cheek teeth. The 

 whole skull is modified in accordance with the dental specialization. 



labial face of the teeth. From these the cheek teeth are sepa- 

 rated by a long interval. They have not persistent pulps like 

 the front teeth but present true roots and are plainly very 

 degenerate with obscure cusps. The absence of convergence 



