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. Ed-iv.pl. 217. 

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

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



This is the species described by the Count de 

 Button 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 Button, 

 on the peculiar structure of the larynx, which 



