THE L.VGURS. 



109 



Presbytis thosites, Tennent, Ceylon, p. 132, plate, fig. i 

 (i860). 



Characters.— Nearly allied to S. efitelhis. Hair on head indis- 

 tinctly radiated ; back of head crested longitudinally ; supra- 

 orbital hairs very long and projecting forward ; ears large, not 

 hidden by the whiskers. Fur long ; face and ears black ; back, 

 sides, outer aspect of fore-limbs, upper part of the thigh, and 

 the tail, ashy -grey, or earthy-brown^ sometimes slightly washed 

 with purple ; sides of the head, nape, lower half of the thighs, 

 hands, and feet, yellowish, as also the under surface of the 

 body and inside of the limbs. Length of body, 21 inches; 

 tail, 28 inches. 



Distribution. — The Coromandel coast of India, ascending to 

 6,000 feet; Ceylon, from the north as far as the Kandyan 

 hills in the south. 



Habits. — The same as those of S. entellus and S, schist aceus. 



This species inhabits the northern and eastern provinces of 

 Ceylon, and the wooded hills which occur in these portions of 

 the island. In appearance it differs both in size and in colour 

 from the common Wanderoo, being larger and more inclined to 

 grey ; and in habits it is much more reserved. At Jaffna, and 

 in other parts of the island, where the population is compara- 

 tively numerous, these Monkeys become so familiarised with 

 the presence of Man as to exhibit the utmost daring and in- 

 difference. A flock of them will take possession of a Palmyra 

 palm ; and so effectually can they crouch and conceal them- 

 selves among the leaves that, on the slightest alarm, the whole 

 party becomes invisible in an instant. The presence of a Dog, 

 however, excites such an irrepressible curiosity that, in order 

 to watch his movements, they never fail to betray themselves. 



