XONG-FINGERED LEMUR^ 
to be, even tliei'e, a very scarce animal. The 
name Aye Aye, which it has obtained from 
it's cry, is said to be the note by which the 
natives of that island themselves express sur- 
prise or astonishment, as well as the appella- 
tion given by them to this animal, which ut- 
ters it in a tone of voice resembling that of a 
feeble scream, 
Mr. Kerr observes, that " this animal, 
■which inhabits the Eastern side of the Island 
of Madagascar, is rather doubtful in it's na- 
ture. In the slowness of it's pace, and ge- 
neral manners, it resembles the Sloth ; but, in 
the form of it's tail, and the number and form 
of it's toes, five on each foot, and the number 
and arrangement of it's teeth, it is more nearly 
■allied to the Squirrel. It lives,'* he adds, "in 
holes under ground ; is slothful, timid, and 
•sleeps much; and feeds chiefly on Worms, 
which it extra6ts from the hollows of trees by 
means of it's toes„ The ears are large, flat- 
tened, black, and covered thickly with rough 
'liair. The face is garnished with bunches of 
liair above the eyes, .on the nose and cheeks, 
and under the chin. The fur is of two sorts ; 
an 
