-^ Apes and Monkeys 



and help them on their way. Presently we see some of 

 them clamberino- u}) trees to get a better view of their 

 foe, and then again a great cloud of dust informs us that 

 all have sought safety in further flight. 



The eyesight of the baboon must be extraordinarily 

 keen — much more so than that of the natives. The baboon 

 which I kept prisoner in my camp recognised me at 

 an incredible distance when I was returning from my 

 expeditions. 



It is most interesting to watch the troops of baboons 

 as they go to drink of an afternoon between four and 

 five o'clock, and to note how cautiously they quench 

 their thirst. Their great object is to avoid the crocodile. 

 Baboons never drink without having the water watched 

 and guarded by some experienced old members of their 

 troop, either from a tree or from the shore. The moment 

 a crocodile is sighted the alarm is given. Like lightning 

 the whole troop tear uj) into the trees for safety, and give 

 vent to their anger by a chorus ot grunts and squeaks. 

 From their high watch-towers the experienced old baboons 

 keep an eye on every movement of the crocodile, and it 

 is only after the most cautious survey that they at length 

 decide once more to approach the water to drink, or 

 make for some shallower spot, where the crocodile could 

 not so easily get at them. 



In the riverless regions of the Masai country one 

 comes across quite another kind of baboon, which is of 

 a dark green colour {Papio neiimaiiui). It was discovered 

 by Oscar Neumann in the beginning of the year 1890. 

 These monkeys live in large herds on the mountain slopes. 



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