(_Plate XXXV._)
_Semnopithecus hosii_, Thomas, P. Z. S., 1889, p. 159, pl. xvi.; Hose,
Mamm. Borneo, p. 10 (1893).
CHARACTERS.--Crown with a longitudinal central crest, the hairs sloping
evenly backward, with no reversed tuft of hair on the back of the head;
general colour of back, shoulders, outer sides of limbs, and tail (though
darker above than below) {118}hoary grey, the hairs being commingled black
and white; crest, centre of crown, and nape deep glossy black; all the rest
of the head, forehead, temples, sides of crown and neck, cheeks, lips,
septum of nose, tufted chin, front of neck, chest, under side of body and
the inside of the limbs as far as the middle of the fore-arm and lower leg
pure white; hands and feet deep black; face black.
Nasal bones long and thin, the profile quite straight and continuous with
the line of the forehead. Length of body, 20½ inches; of tail, 26¼ inches.
(_Thomas._)
This handsome species differs from all known _Semnopitheci_ in the marked
contrast in colour presented by its black crest and white forehead and
cheeks.
DISTRIBUTION.--Niah, in the Baram district; Mount Dulit, Mount Batu Song:
all in Sarawak, Borneo.
HABITS.--"The type of this Monkey--the Bangat of the Kayans--was shot,"
writes Mr. Charles Hose (after whom the species is named), "at a place
called Niah, in the Baram district. I have procured several specimens in
different parts of the country, but although it is often seen in the low
country, I think we must consider it to be a mountain species, which leaves
the mountains at certain times in search of fruit. It ascends Mount Dulit
to the height of 4,000 feet, but is more common at 2,000 feet. It frequents
the salt-springs, which are common in the interior, churning up the mud,
and it is at these salt-springs that the Punans procure numbers of
specimens with the blow-pipe and poisoned arrows. From this Monkey the
Bezoar stones are obtained, being found either in the gall bladder or the
intestines. The noise that the animal makes is loud and distinct--_Gagah,
gagah_. The young {119}resemble the colour of the adult, and are
exceedingly pretty little things, but they do not live long in confinement,
and would never bear a voyage to England, as they suffer severely from
sea-sickness."