THE LANGURS 79 



THE DUSKY LEAF-MONKEY {Semnopithecus obscurus) 



The dusky leaf-monkey, which is found in Siam, the Malay Peninsula, and the 

 Tenasserim provinces, while agreeing with the Nilgiri and the capped langur in 

 the backward direction of the crown of the head, is distinguished by the possession 

 of a distinct crest of longer hairs on the occiput, arranged in a pointed form. 



The adult of this langur is of comparatively small size, the length of the head 

 and body measuring 21 inches, and that of the tail 32. Usually the general color 

 of the head, body, and limbs is dark, ashy gray, but it may vary to blackish-brown. 

 The under parts and tail are generally lighter, but the hands and feet are black. 

 The crest on the back of the head is always distinctly lighter than that of the 

 rest of the crown, and may be almost white. The young are of a bright golden 

 ferruginous color. According to Mr. Blanford this species is known to the Malays 

 as Liitong itam, a title which appears properly to belong to the black variety of the 

 negro monkey. 



Closely allied to this species is Phayre's leaf-monkey (S. phayret], distinguished 

 by the crest of hair being placed on the crown of the head instead of on the occiput, 

 and by this same crest being compressed and longitudinal, instead of pointed; 

 while the color of the body is dark gray above, and whitish underneath. Phayre's 

 leaf -monkey inhabits Arakan, part of Pegu, and Northern Tenasserim. 



Writing of this species, Mr. Blanford states that it "is found in dense, high 

 forests, or amongst bamboos on the hillsides and on the banks of streams, usually 

 in flocks of twenty or thirty individuals. It is very shy and wary, and is conse- 

 quently more often heard than seen ; the whole flock when alarmed rushing 

 through the forest, shaking the branches violently, and leaping from tree to tree. 

 But occasionally, as Tickell observes, an old male stays behind in a safe post of 

 vantage on the top of one of the highest trees, where he may be heard uttering his 

 short, deep alarm-cry at frequent intervals. This cry is an angry bark, not unlike 

 that of the hanuman. I was once well scolded from a tree by an old monkey, I 

 believe of this species, on the edge of a half-deserted clearing in Southern Arakan. 

 I had done nothing to offend his monkeyship, but he evidently considered me as 

 something unusual and suspicious. Blyth observes that the young, besides making 

 a whining noise to express their wants, emit a cry that might be mistaken for the 

 mew of a cat." 



HOSE'S LANGUR {Semnopithccus hosei) 



This very handsome and peculiarly-colored langur from Borneo belongs to the 

 group in which the hair of the crown extends evenly backwards. It is about the 

 same size as the dusky leaf-monkey. The crown has a longitudinal crest, starting 

 about half an inch behind the centre of the forehead. The general color of the 

 body is a hoary gray, caused by the mixture of black and white hairs. The crest, 

 as well as the centre of the crown. of the head, the nape of the neck, and the eye- 

 brows, are of a deep glossy black, and the hands and feet are of the same jetty 

 hue. In marked contrast to these sombre tints is the brilliant white of the forehead, 



