THE SOOTY MANGABEY. 43 



As a general rule, the male monkeys are less open to higher influences than the females, and 

 are therefore more difficult subjects for the trainer. 



Nearly all the long-tailed monkeys that come to us belong to the Guenons, and the many 

 anecdotes that are related of them may be safely attributed to this group of animals. 



The monkey which is known by the name of the DIANA is remarkable not only for its 

 quaint aspect, but for the richly variegated tints with which its fur is adorned. The most con- 

 spicuous feature in the Diana Monkey, is the long and sharply pointed beard which decorates 

 its chin and face. The color 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 this 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 the forehead : where a semi-lunar line of white hair gleams out 

 conspicuously against the black brows, and bears a close resemblance to the silvery crescent 

 borne by the Diana of the ancients. 



The coloring 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 color, and is relieved by a bright orange hue 

 that covers the lower part of the abdomen and the inside of the thighs. The orange color is 

 very much the same as that of the well-known penguin feathers which are so extensively used 

 for slippers, pouches, and other fanciful articles. 



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 gray, and the hands are 

 nearly black. The color of the eye is a clear gray. 



In captivity it is rather a pleasing animal ; almost fastidiously clean in habits, therein 

 exhibiting an 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. Wlien walking, its 

 diverse colors 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 aboiit four feet and a half, of which the tail occupies rather more than the moiety. 



There are several species of monkeys belonging to the genus Cercocebus (i. e. Tailed 

 Monkey), of which the animal that is so well depicted in the accompanying illustration is a 

 good type. The Mangabeys, as these monkeys are called, are all inhabitants of Western Africa. 

 They are amusing in their habits, and gentle in manner ; easily domesticated, and open to 

 instruction. Their temper does not seem to be so irritable as that of many monkeys ; and 

 even when they are roused to anger, their ire is comparatively evanescent. 



On account of the white hue which marks the eyelids, the Mangabeys are sometimes termed 

 the " White-eyelid Monkeys." The Sooty Mangabey is well named ; for its general color 

 is nearly black, something like a half -tint chimney-sweeper. The black hue is only found in 

 the adult animal, the color of the young Mangabey being a fawn tint. Sometimes it goes by 

 the name of the Negro Monkey ; and under these several titles suffers somewhat from the con- 

 fusion that is almost inseparable from such uncertain nomenclature. It is rather a small 

 animal, measuring some eighteen inches or so from the nose to the root of the tail, which occu- 

 pies about the same space. 



Among the peculiar habits which distinguish the Mangabeys, we may especially notice 

 the action of their lips, and the mode in which they carry the tail. They have a strange way 

 of writhing their faces into a kind of quaint grin, in which they raise the lips, and exhibit the 

 teeth almost as if they were laughing. When walking, they have a fashion of turning their 

 tails over their backs, and carrying them reversed, in a line almost parallel with the direction 

 of the spine. 



