_Propithecus diadema_, Bennett, P. Z. S., 1832, p. 20; Milne-Edwards and
Grandid., Hist. Nat. Madag., Mamm., p. 296 (with full synonymy), Atlas,
pl. 1-3.
CHARACTERS.--Fur long, silky, the muzzle naked. Head shorter and rounder
than in the other species of the genus; thumb slender, like the toes, set
far back, free; great toe very strong, and in the same plane with the other
digits; a marked depression exists in the skull behind the orbits. Body, 21
inches; tail, 19 inches in length.
Forehead crossed by a broad white bar; cheeks in front of the ears, and the
under side of the chin, white or fulvous white; face black, with a few
short black hairs. Back of head, neck, shoulders, sides of body, outer
sides of arms, sometimes grey, but generally very dark brown, merging into
dark grey on the lower back. Tail at its root washed with orange-yellow,
paler in the middle, greyish-white at its extremity. Fore-arm, lower part
of arm, sacral region, and external face of hind-limbs, bright
{99}orange-yellow. Hands black-haired to the ends of the fingers, but with
long and yellow tufts of hair at the tips. Feet pale orange and haired to
the nails. Chest dark brown. Under surface white, or white tinged with
yellow, or dark brownish-grey. Internal face of the fore-limbs grey, from
the intermixture of black hairs; that of the hind-limbs pale yellow.
YOUNG.--Similar in colour to the adults, but lighter; the frontal band
yellow, not white; limbs light yellow.
VARIETIES.--Several varieties of this species--the "Simpona" of the
natives--have been described, of which the following deserve special
notice:--