5 o THE SOOTY MANGABEY. 



decorates its chin and face. The color of the beard is a pure white, and the animal is ex- 

 tremely 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, least 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, forgiving 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. 



THE SOOTY MANGABEY. Cercocebus htllglaosus. 



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. When 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 about 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 (/. 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, 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 



