434 Monograph of the Genua Semnopithecus. 



Art. VI. Monograph of the Genus Semnopithecus. By William 

 Martin, Esq. F.L.S. 



( Continued from Page 326). 



With respect to the habits and manners of the Semnopithe- 

 ci, little need be said. Their movements are more slow and 

 composed than we see among the Cercopitheci, — they have 

 far less brusquerie and petulance, and are more staid, quiet, 

 and gentle. While young they are playful and familiar, but 

 as age advances they become surly, mistrustful, and even fe- 

 rocious. They leap and bound among the trees of their na- 

 tive woods, with extreme address and vigour, exceeding even 

 the guenons in the distance to which they spring. Several 

 species, but more particularly the Entellus, are held in vene- 

 ration by the worshippers of Brama, and are not only tolerat- 

 ed but protected ; they are permitted to ravage gardens in 

 troops, without the least molestation, or even to enter within 

 the very walls of dwelling houses, and appropriate whatever 

 suits their appetite or inclination. This blind veneration is, 

 however, by no means universal. The Entellus, for instance, 

 which abounds in the forests of the western ghauts, is not re- 

 garded as sacred by the Mahratta people, nor, as we are as- 

 sured, do they object to its being killed. Many species attain 

 to considerable dimensions ; and many are distinguished by 

 the softness and glossiness of their fur, as well as by the beau- 

 ty of their colouring. 



Among the species comprehended in the present genus, 

 there obtains a mass of confusion, which we trust to be able, 

 in some degree at least, to disentangle. Most of our descrip- 

 tions are original, and as correct as possible ; nor have we 

 omitted consulting various authorities on the subject, not, 

 however, to the warping of our opinion on a single species. 

 We shall arrange them as follows. 



Genus SEMNOPITHECUS, F. Cuv. 



SPECIES. 



S. nemcsus. The Douc Monkey. 



General colour of the body beautiful grey, arising from the hairs being 

 annulated with black and white. Forehead black ; long hairs around the 

 face white ; gorget light chesnut red ; shoulders and a bar under the gor- 

 get black. Fore arms white ; thighs black, legs bright deep chesnut red ; 

 hands and feet black ; tail white ; skin of face yellow. Fur full, deep and 

 soft. Length about 2 feet, — the tail being about 1 foot 8 or 9 inches. 



Habitat Cochinchina. 



