On Siniia 8|)liinx, Linnaua. 417 



XI. VI. — On Simia sphinx, Ltnuteus. 

 By D. G. Elliot, D.Sc, F.U.S.E., &c. 



In the tenth edition of the * Syatema Natura?,' 1758, Liiinseus 

 describes a Simia snhiua; as follows : — 



*' Siniia semicaudata, ore vibrisaato, uiiguibua acuminatis. 



'• Svii. r,e«n., Quad. 3o2, t. a'33. 

 AUlr., di^'it. 1'<R). 

 Jonst., Quftd. 14-3, t. Gl. lig. 1. 

 Kai, Quad. 158. 



"//«/). Borneo." 



It will bo noticed that no indication wliatever in the above 

 is given as to the colour or size of animal, and the brief 

 diagnosis leaves the species practically undeterminable. So 

 we naturally turn to the authors whose works are cited by 

 Linnajus for a solution of the problem. Gesner's 'Quad- 

 rupeds' is the first, but caretul searcii does not reveal any 

 mention of a Simia as indicated by Linnajus. Next is 

 Aldrovandus, and on the page given is a figure of the 

 mandrill, rude in execution, but yet recognizable, with the 

 large head and erect stumpy tail. There is nothing in 

 figure or description that would designate the small red 

 baboon from the west coast of Africa, and which lias been 

 and is known to authois as Papio sphinx. 



In the twelfth edition of the ' Systema Natura',* 17G6, 

 Simia sphinx again appears as follows: — 



" Simia sphinx. Siniia semicaudata, ore vibrissato, ungui- 

 bus acuminatis, nalibus calvis. 



" 8vn. Vu':^n., Quad. L'ol', t. 253. 

 Aldr., dijfit. L'(iO. 

 Jon,^t., Quad. 145, t. 61. fig. 1. 

 liai, Qund. l')6. 



" JIah. Borneo. 



" Animal libidinosum, nmlieribus facile vim infeiens 

 robustum et ferox. Caput oblongum Canis, sed obtu.sus. 

 CuUiim longuni, cauda bievis erecta. Nates saiiguinolenf?e." 



In this longer description the mandrill can be better recog- 

 nized than in the shorter diagnoses of the edition of 1758. 

 Of course, the authors cited give the same result, the mandrill 

 being the oidy monkey indicated. There seems to be an 

 error in the citation of Gcsner's work, and not his 'Quadru- 

 peds,' but his * Thierbuch ' was iniended, for on page clvii of 

 that work is the same figure of the mandrill as that published 

 Aldrovandus and Jonston ; and so the authors cited by 



