188 journal, r.a.s. (ceylon). [Vol. IL, Part II. 



SKETCHES IN THE NATURAL HISTORY 

 OF CEYLON. 



By Edgar L. Layard, Esq., cm.e.s. 

 (Read June 9, 1849.) 



PART I.— MAMMALIA 



Order Quadrumana. 

 Family Simla. 

 Genus Macacus. 



1. — M. Slnicus (L.), Desmarest. 

 Syn. — M. Piliatus, Lesson ; Vandurd, Sin. 



The common black monkey of the maritime provinces ; 

 very common also in the Kandyan districts ; about Trinco- 

 maleeit is replaced by Preshytes ther sites, and in the Jaffna 

 peninsula by P. Priamus. 



Genus Presbytes. 



2. — P. Thersites, Elliot et Blyth (Journal R. A S., 



XVI., 1271). 



This and the preceding species would seem to be peculiar 

 to the Island, the present race being confined to the 

 neighbourhood of Trincomalee. 



3. — P. Priamus, Elliot et Blyth (Journal R. A. S., 



XIII., 470; XYL, 732). 

 Syn. — Kuranku, Mai. ; Buji, Port. 



Confined to the Jaffna peninsula on this Island, but 

 inhabiting also the Malabar and Coromandel coasts. They 

 are particularly abundant about Point Pedro, feeding on 

 the palmirah, margosa, and other fruits. The young are 

 produced in February or March. 



