_Simia diana_, Linn., Syst. Nat., i., p. 38 (1766).
{80}_Cercopithecus diana_, Erxleb., Syst. Regne An., p. 30 (1777);
Desmar., Mamm., p. 60 (1820); Martin, Mammif. An., p. 523 (1841);
Geoffr., Dict. Hist. Nat., iii., p. 304 (1849); Wagner in Schreb.
Säugeth. Suppl., v., p. 48 (1855); Gray, Cat. Monkeys Brit. Mus., p. 22
(1870; pt.); Schl., Mus. Pays-Bas, vii., p. 92 (1876; pt.); Jentink,
Notes, Leyd. Mus., x., p. 12; Sclater, P. Z. S., 1893, p. 254.
_Cercopithecus diana_, var. _ignita_, Gray, Cat. Monkeys Brit. Mus., p.
22 (1870).
CHARACTERS.--Face black. Sides of face with long bushy whiskers,
terminating on the chin in a pointed white beard a few inches long; across
the forehead run two arched lines of erect hairs, the lower black, the
upper white; top of the head, back of the neck, shoulders, the sides,
middle of belly, ashy-grey--the hairs being white and black ringed, and
white-tipped; outside of limbs darker, the hands black; tail grey, the tip
black; neck, chest, and anterior part of the arms white; from the middle of
the back a deep chestnut spot extends, and widens to the root of the tail;
from the base of the tail, the outer aspect of the thighs, white; posterior
part of under side of body and inner side of thighs, orange-yellow, or
orange red, or bright red bay (_C. ignita_ of Gray). Length of body, 18
inches; of tail, 24 inches.
DISTRIBUTION.--West Africa: from Liberia to the Congo.
HABITS.--This beautiful and graceful Monkey is not uncommon in captivity,
and nearly all we know of its habits has been obtained from such specimens.
"Like the rest of its tribe," writes Mr. Martin, "it is gentle, lively,
active, and familiar while young, but as age advances it becomes reserved
and treacherous.... Its frontal crest of white hairs, and its white peaked
beard 'of formal cut,' give a singular aspect to its physiognomy. This
latter ornament it has been observed, so Mr. Ogilby states, to be
solicitous in keeping neat and clean; when about to drink it takes the
beard in its hand with amazing gravity, and holds it back in order to
prevent it from dipping into the fluid."