256 
THE LARGER MONKEYS 
(Manchurian) tiger, with long, deep fur and magnifi- 
cent markings of rich tawny and white, was perhaps 
the most striking feature in the room. But dozens of 
leopard and lynx hides, Chinese coats of Thibetan 
lamb, fleece inwards, ocelot, tiger-cat, and even 
pythons’ skins, made up a richly-coloured and curious 
collection. Turning over a pile of small unnamed 
skins lying on a trestle table, the buyer discovered a 
set of monkey hides of a species quite unknown to 
him. The prevailing colour was a beautiful iron-grey, 
and in the centre of each skin was an oval scutcheon 
of the richest chestnut brown. These were at once 
marked for purchase, and next day the writer identified 
the species to which the skins belong by a visit to the 
Zoo. They were those of the Diana monkey of West 
Africa, a creature which, though of a thorough monkey 
type, has almost the colouring of some of the most 
ornamental wild ducks. Its face is black, with a 
white crescent on the forehead, and a long white 
beard, and a white throat and shoulders. The rest of 
the body and fore-legs is mainly of a tint of iron- 
grey, speckled all over with a “ pepper and salt ” 
arrangement of dots. In the centre of the back is the 
deep chestnut patch which has such a curious effect 
in the dressed skin, and the lower parts are a brilliant 
pale yellow. The Diana monkey now in the Gardens 
is an extremely friendly creature, and spends much 
time in stroking and arranging its beautiful fur. 
One kept in confinement is said to have always 
•drawn its beard aside with the hand to prevent its 
