or Maki, in zoology, a genus of quadrupeds belonging to the order of primates, the characters of which are these: There are four fore teeth in the upper jaw, the intermediate ones being remote; and six long, compressed, parallel teeth in the under jaw; the dog-teeth are solitary, and the grinders are somewhat labated. There are five species, viz.

1. The tardigradus, a small animal found in the island of Ceylon. It is of a very singular construction, and perhaps longer in proportion to its thickness than any other quadruped. The head is roundish, with a prominent nose; the legs are long and thick, and the feet resemble those of a monkey; it has no tail. It lives in the woods, and feeds on fruits; is a tender animal; has the sense of smell very acute, and the action of an ape; and is very agile, though its name implies the contrary.

2. The mongoose inhabits Madagascar and the islands to the eastward as far as Celebes, is about the size of a cat; hath the whole upper part of the body covered with long, soft, and thick fur, a little curled or waved, of a deep brownish ash-colour; the tail very long, covered with the same sort of hair, and of the same colour. It lives on fruits, turns its tail over its head to protect it from rain, and sleeps on trees; it is very sporting and good-natured, and very tender.

3. The catta, or arch-tailed maki, inhabits Madagascar and the neighbouring isles. It is of the size of a cat; has the hair on the top and hind-part of the head of a deep ash-colour, the back and sides reddish, the belly and insides of the limbs white; all its hair very soft, close, and fine, and erect like the pile of velvet; the tail is twice the length of the body. It is very good-natured, and has all the life of a monkey, without its mischievous disposition; it is very cleanly, and has a weak cry. In a wild state they go in troops of 30 or 40, and are easily tamed when taken young.

4. The caudatus niger, or ruffed maki, is also an inhabitant of Madagascar. It is somewhat larger than the last, and hath long hair standing out round the sides of the head like a ruff; a long tail; the colour of the whole animal generally black, but sometimes white spotted with black. In a wild state it is very fierce; and makes such a violent noise in the woods, that the cries of two might be easily mistaken for the noise made by a hundred.

5. The volans, or flying maki, resembles a bat; being furnished with a strong membrane like that animal, by which it is enabled to fly. It inhabits the country about Guzarat, the Molucca isles, and the Philippines; feeds on the fruits of the trees, and is very distinct both from the bat and flying squirrel. Its history, however, is very little known.