[AT] The word maki has probably been derived from mocoek or maucauc, which is the name given to these animals at Mozambique and in the islands of Madagascar, whence it originally proceeded.
As this name Maki has been given to several animals we can only use it as a generic term, under which we comprehend three animals of the same class, but varying in characters sufficiently numerous to constitute different species. These three animals have long tails, and feet shaped like those of the monkey; but their snout is long, like that of the martin; and they have six incisive teeth in the under jaw, while the monkeys have but four.
The first of this kind is the mococo, or maucauco, ([fig. 173.]) commonly known by the name of the ring-tailed maki. The second is the mongous, ([fig. 174.]) commonly called the brown maki; but this denomination is misapplied, for there are among this kind, various colours, some are all brown, others with white cheeks and feet, and still others whose cheeks are black and feet are yellow. The third is the vari, ([fig. 175.]) called by some the pied maki: but this denomination has been also misapplied, for besides those which are pied, that is black and white, there are some all white, and others entirely black. These animals are all natives of the eastern parts of Africa, and principally of Madagascar, where they are found in great numbers.
Engraved for Barr’s Buffon
FIG. 173. Macauco. FIG. 174. Mongous.
