70 MAMMALS OF THE PACIFIC WORLD 



The Leaf Monkeys {Preshytis) are characterized by their 

 long, narrow hands and feet, with short thumb and first toe, 

 by absence of cheek pouches, and by long tail and limbs. They 

 spend most of their time in the high forest trees where they feed 

 on foliage, flowers, fruit, and seeds. Occasionally they eat in- 

 sects, birds, and eggs. Although they are able to run with a 

 considerable speed on the ground, they are more at home 



Fig. 29 — Thomas's Leaf Monkey 



among the branches. In the trees they travel with great speed, 

 making great leaps, their long tails maintaining their balance 

 and their long hands and feet giving them remarkable grasping 

 powers. Leaf monkeys are found from China? India, and Burma 

 to Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and Bali. 



The leaf monkeys vary greatly in color. Some are very 

 handsome animals. The colors of the East Indian forms range 

 through black, brown, red, gray, and white. More than thirty 

 of the many species and subspecies occur. These numerous 



