98 Lloyd's natural history. 



verreauxi)^ both having numerous very marked varieties ; 

 and (3) the Crowned Sifaka {P. coro?iatiis). 



These species are found all round the coasts of Madagascar ; 

 as well in the luxuriant forests on the east side as in the arid 

 deserts and the sparsely-wooded plains of the south-western 

 and western coasts. Of the three species of the genus, one 

 {P. diademd) is confined to the eastern and southern coasts, 

 the other two (P. verreauxi and P. coronatus) are found only on 

 the west coast. More or less distinctly coloured varieties or 

 races of these three species occur, and it is very remarkable 

 that each of them is rigorously restricted to localities distinct 

 from that of the typical species. 



I. THE DIADEMED SIFAKA. PROPITHECUS DIADEMA. 



Propitheais diadema^ Bennett, P. Z. S., 1832, p. 20; Milne- 

 Edwards and Grandid., Hist. Nat. Madag., Manmi., p. 296 

 (with full synonymy), Atlas, pi. 1-3. 



Characters. — Fur long, silky, the muzzle naked. Head shorter 

 and rounder than in the other species of the genus ; thumb 

 slender, like the toes, set far back, free ; great toe very strong, 

 and in the same plane with the other digits^; a marked 

 depression exists in the skull behind the orbits. Body, 21 

 inches; tail, 19 inches in length. 



Forehead crossed by a broad white bar ; cheeks in front of 

 the ears, and the under side of the chin, white or fulvous white ; 

 face black, with a few short black hairs. Back of head, neck, 

 shoulders, sides of body, outer sides of arms, sometimes grey, 

 but generally very dark brown, merging into dark grey on the 

 lower back. Tail at its root washed with orange-yellow, paler in 

 the middle, greyish -white at its extremity. Fore-arm, lower part 

 of arm, sacral region, and external face of hind-limbs, bright 



