226 RIBBED-NOSE BABOON. 



were symbols of every inordinate passion : the model 

 from which they were delineated was evidently 

 taken from the ape tribe, as may be seen by the 

 strong similitude of the countenances of the one to the 

 other. Nor does the disposition of these creatures 

 falsify their physiognomy : many species are said to 

 be fierce^ ill-natured, malicious, revengeful, thievish, 

 mischievous, and immodest ; exhibiting a picture, if 

 it may bear that term, of man in the most debased 

 condition, a slave to vice and his own unrestrained 

 inclinations. Yet these creatures are domestic fa- 

 vourites, and, it must be confessed, that some of the 

 smaller tribes are not always destitute of beauty, if 

 considered as an animal, and not as a counterpart to 

 the noble, intelligent race of mankind. The ribbed- 

 nose baboon, though disgusting in shape, is adorned 

 with a variety of beautiful colours. Its nose is 

 marked with broad ribs on each side, of a fine violet 

 blue colour: a vermilion line begins a little above 

 the eyes, and running down on each side of the nose, 

 spreads to the tip of it. The insides of the ears are 

 blue, which gradually softens to a purple, and termi- 

 nates in vermilion. The rump is of the same colour ; 

 and the beautiful tints on the hips are gradations 

 from red to blue. The beard is dark at the roots, 

 orange at the middle, and yellow at the ends. But 

 all this finery does not make him amiable, for his 



