INDRI. 
205 
From the loins to the tail there is a large triangular patch of either pure white or of 
a yellowish tinge; this patch terminates in front in a sharp point, and is bordered 
on all sides with black. The flanks are also light-coloured; and the dark bands 
which usually separate the light area of the loins from that of the flanks are continued 
down the front of the legs; but the sides of the legs are in general whitish, and their 
hinder surface grey; the heel being reddish. The hands and feet are black, and, 
unlike the specimen we figure, they are, as a rule, almost denuded of hair. 
Such are the common colours in the larger number of specimens of the 
indri. In almost every flock, however, individuals are found in which the light- 
coloured areas intrude more or less extensively upon those which are usually 
black; and from these intermediate forms a complete transition can be traced to 
others in which the whole of the fur is white. The intermediately coloured 
individuals very generally retain the broad black streak down the front of the leg, 
and the black ears. 
Instead of being distributed over the whole of Madagascar, the indris are 
confined to the forests on the east coast of the island; this restricted distribution 
being due to the great range of mountains running longitudinally through 
Madagascar, which cuts off these animals from the plains on the western side. 
In contradistinction to most of the lemurs, the indris are purely 
Habits. .... ’ LJ . 
diurnal in their habits; they are commonly found in small parties of 
four or five, although during the day single individuals, more or less widely separated 
from their companions, may frequently be seen. Their general habits appear to 
be similar to those of the propitheques, to which we shall refer later on. Unless 
injured so badly as to be unable to make its escape, the indri does not give 
utterance to the least sound when wounded; if, however, it is so severely hit 
as to fall to the ground, which it will only do wheh its extraordinary powers 
of holding on to the branches of the trees are exhausted, it gives vent to piercing 
shrieks. 
It is related by Grandidier that some of the inhabitants of Madagascar 
have an extraordinary superstitious veneration for the indri, and will on no 
consideration harm it. Different families assign different reasons for this special 
veneration; and while it may be of the most marked description in one village, in 
a neighbouring one it may be totally wanting. The author referred to considers 
that it may be largely due to the plaintive and mournful cries with which these 
animals frequently make the forests resound,—cries which can be heard at great 
distances, and have a more or less marked resemblance to agonised human wailings. 
The Propitheques, or Sifakas. 
Genus Propithecus. 
The sifakas, as they are called by the native inhabitants of Madagascar, 
constitute the only genus of this group of lemurs which is represented by more than 
a single species. Although closely allied to the indri, they are at once distinguished 
by their long tails; the muzzle is also rather shorter, and the ears are considerably 
