50 THE SOOTY MANGABEY. 
decorates its chin and face. The colour of the beard is a pure white, and the animal is 
extremely solicitous about the perfect spotlessness of its hue, taking every precaution to 
preserve the cherished ornament from stain. So careful is the monkey, that when it drinks 
it holds back its beard with one hand, lest it should dip into the liquid and be soiled. 
It may seem rather singular that an animal which bears so masculine an adornment 
should be named after the bright virgin huntress of mythology, radiant in her perpetual 
youth. But though as Diana the beard might be scarcely appropriate, yet as Hecate it would 
not be so very inconsistent. The reason, however, for giving to this monkey the title of 
the Diana, may be found not on the chin but on AW forehead : where a semi-lunar line of 
white hair gleams out conspicuously against the black brows, and bears a close resem- 
blance to the silvery crescent borne by the Diana of the ancients. 
The colouring of the fur is extremely diversified, and in several parts assumes a force 
and richness of tint that we should rather expect in the plumage of a bird than in the fur 
of a monkey. The back is mostly of a deep chestnut colour, and is relieved by a bright 
orange hue that covers the lower part of the abdomen and the inside of the thighs. The 
orange colour is very much the same as that of the well-known penguin feathers which 
are so extensively used for slippers, pouches, and other similar purposes. 
A band of pure white separates the chestnut from the orange, and serves to set them 
off to great advantage. The remainder of the body is of a rather dark grey, and the 
hands are nearly black. The colour of the eye is a clear grey. 
In captivity it is rather a pleasing animal ; almost fastidiously clean in habits, therein 
being in advantageous contrast to many of the monkey tribe. It is easily tamed, and 
walks deliberately forward to receive any gift at the hands of its visitors. When walking, 
its diverse colours produce a curious effect, especially when it is viewed from behind. 
Although it is by no means a rare species, and is found in plenty in Guinea, Congo, 
and other places, it is not so often imported as might be expected. The total length of 
tail and body is about four feet and a half, of which the tail occupies rather more than 
the moiety. 
THE SOOTY MANGABEY.—Cercocébus fuliginosus, 
There are several species of monkeys belonging to the genus Cercocebus (te. Tailed 
Monkey), of which the animal that is so well depicted in the accompanying illus- 
tration is a good type. The Mangabeys, as these monkeys are called, are all inhabitants 
of Western Africa, and are tolerably frequent visitors to our island. They are amusing 
in their habits, and gentle in manner; easily domesticated, and open to instruction. Their 
