THE HOWLERS. 203 
upper part of sides, yellowish-brown; lower part of sides 
brownish-yellow, lengthened into a mantle; arms, legs, and tail 
black. Len&th, 19% inches ; tail, 2034. 
The late Mr. Alston, in describing the Mammals of Central 
America, in Messrs. Godman and Salvin’s monumental work, 
“Biologia Centrali-Americana,” observes that “this Howler 
presents considerable variety in the depth of the black 
or brown-black ground-colour, and in the extent of the fulvous 
tints of the flanks and loins. Dr. v. Frantzius states that the 
Howlers which he saw in Costa Rica were darker than is 
indicated by Dr. Gray’s description ; and in several of the 
Panama examples the light markings are much reduced, but in 
others they are quite as conspicuous as in the Nicaraguan 
types.” Mr. Alston, therefore, agrees with Prof. Schlegel, that 
the variation does not depend on locality. 
Distribution—Shores and islands of the lake of Nicaragua ; 
Costa Rica; Panama; Islet of Hicaron, at the southern ex- 
tremity of Quibo Island, off the Coast of Veragua. South of 
the Isthmus of Panama, the Red Howler (4. sezzcula) re- 
places the Mantled Howler. 
Habits.—The habits of the Mantled Howler do not differ 
widely from those of the species already described. It prefers 
the highest branches of the trees of the dense forests ; and is 
harmless to the plantations of the natives. In disposition it is 
dull and melancholy, and is rarely kept in confinement. It is 
said, however, to reconcile itself to captivity more than some 
of the others referred to in previous pages. According to 
Dr. v. Frantzius, a tame male individual of this species was 
observed to howl whenever rain-clouds gathered, and also 
regularly at five o'clock every morning. 
