98 



RUFFED LEMUR. 



Lemur Macaco. L. caudatus niger, collari barbato. Lin. Syst. 



Nat. p. 44. 

 Tailed black Lemur, with the neck bearded in the manner of a 



ruff. 

 Black Maucauco. Ediv.pl. 217. 

 Vari. Buff. 13./. 174. //. 17. 

 Ruffed Macauco. Pennant Quadr. \.p. 231. 



This is the species described by the Count de 

 Buff on under the name of the Vari, its colours 

 often consisting of a patched distribution of black 

 and white ; though its real or natural colour is sup- 

 posed to be entirely black. In size it exceeds the 

 Mongoz, or Brown Lemur. It is said to be a 

 fierce and almost untameable animal. It inhabits 

 the woods of [Madagascar and some of the Indian 

 islands ; and is said to exert a voice so loud and 

 powerful as to strike astonishment into those who 

 hear it, resembling, in this respect, the howling 

 Monkey or S. Belzebub, which fills the woods of 

 Brasil and Guiana with its dreadful cries. When 

 in a state of captivity, however, it seems to be- 

 come as gentle as some others of this genus. 

 That described and figured by Edwards was an 

 example of this, and is expressly said to have 

 been " a very sociable, gentle, harmless-natured 

 animal, not having the cunning, mischievousness, 

 or malice of the Monkey kind. " 



The astonishing strength of voice in this ani- 

 mal, depends, according to the Count de Buffon, 

 on the peculiar structure of the larynx, which 



