50 THE MAGOT. 



confusion of species. Indeed, the Magot has caused some little labor in placing it in its right 

 position. 



It is not a very large animal, as the full-grown males only measure aboiit a yard in length, 

 and the females are rather smaller. The general size of the Magot is about that of an ordinary 

 bull-terrier dog. 



The color of the fur is tolerably uniform, differing chiefly in depth of shade, and is of 

 a clear grayish color. The head is strong and heavy, the eyes deeply set under the over- 

 hanging brows, the neck is short and powerful, the teeth are fully developed and sharp, the 

 finger-nails are sufficiently strong to inflict a severe wound ; so that the entire aspect of an 

 adult male Magot is that of a fierce and dangerous animal. 



Its walk on level ground is rather awkward, this animal making use of feet and hands for 

 that purpose ; but it climbs with ease and agility up trees or rocks, and in a domesticated 

 state is fond of running up and down ropes, and swinging itself about its cage. 



In captivity it will eat almost any kind of food, but in its wild state it prefers fruit, leaves 

 and other vegetable fare, varying its diet by sundry insects which it captures. When enraged 

 it utters a fierce harsh yell, which, when enhanced by the force of numbers, the fury -flashing 

 eyes and warlike gestures, often suffices to intimidate a foe from venturing upon an attack. 

 But when it is not under the influence of angry feelings, its voice is comparatively mild and 

 gentle, being a soft and almost caressing chatter. 



There is a strange grimace in which this animal habitually indulges on almost every emo- 

 tion, whether it be caused by pleasure, anger, or disappointment. The cheeks are sucked in, 

 the lips are contracted over the gums, and the teeth are freely exhibited. 



Although it is popularly termed the Barbary Ape, the Magot is not a true ape, being 

 organized after a very different fashion from the veritable Simians. Belonging to the same 

 genus as the Munga and Rhesus, it is almost entirely destitute of the tail which is so conspic- 

 uous an adornment of these monkeys. In the Magot the tail is reduced to a mere projection, 

 sufficient to mark the spot where that member would have been placed, but not prominent 

 enough to be ranked among real tails. Owing to this formation, the Magot, although one 01 

 the Macaques, was placed among the apes by earlier naturalists. \ 



When at liberty in its native lands, the Magot has a great predilection for hunting scor- 

 pions, insects, and similar creatures, and devouring them on the spot. It displays peculiar 

 aptitude for discovering and pouncing upon its prey. 



Scorpions and beetles are found in profusion under stones, logs, or in similar sheltering 

 places, and are there secure from any ordinary foe. But the quick senses of the Magot detect 

 them in their concealment, and the ready hands sweep away the shelter and make the insect 

 prisoner before it recovers the sudden surprise of its violated roof. On the rock of Gibraltar 

 these monkeys are constantly engaged in turning over the loose stones, and by their perpetual 

 industry have, in course of years, quite altered the surface of the earth, affording, it may be, 

 grounds for sore perplexity in the minds of future geologists. 



To any ordinary animal the scorpion would be rather a dangerous prey, and would prob- 

 ably avenge its death most fully by a stroke of its torture-giving and swiftly -lashing tail. The 

 Magot, however, has hands which can overmatch even the scorpion's tail, and no sooner is one 

 of these baneful creatures brought to light, than the monkey pounces upon it, twitches off the 

 poison-joints of the tail, and then, grasping the disarmed scorpion, eats it as composedly as if 

 it were a carrot. 



In default of such large insects as have been mentioned, the Magot turns its attention to 

 smaller deer, and entering into a mutual engagement with a friend of its own race, they recip- 

 rocally exterminate the parasitic insects with which monkeys generally swarm. 



Small though the quarry may be, the Magot displays much excitement in the chase, and 

 after running down its prey successfully, holds the captured insect to its eyes, contemplates it 

 with a grimace of satisfaction, and then daintily eats it. When in captivity it continues the 

 same pursuits, and may often be seen nestling close to a friendly cat or dog, busily engaged in 

 a minute investigation of its fur, and ever and anon giving vent to a little complacent chuckle 

 which proclaims a successful chase. Sometimes the Magot contracts a strong friendship for 



