232 MALICE OF THE BARBARY APE. 



tree^ till they reach the mountains. The females, 

 in these flights, are frequently laden with three or 

 four young ones, clinging round their necks and 

 backs; but this burden does not prevent them from 

 making surprising leaps, both as to distance and swift- 

 ness. 



Tavemier gives an extraordinary instance of the 

 malicious and revengeful disposition of the Barbary 

 ape. As he was travelling with the English presi- 

 dent in the East Indies, they observed a great num- 

 ber of large apes upon the neighbouring trees. The 

 president, amused by an appearance so novel to him, 

 wished to have one shot for a nearer examination, 

 though the natives who attended him represented the 

 danger of exciting their vengeance. In compliance 

 with the president's request, Tavemier, however, 

 brought down a female with her little ones. In an 

 instant, her companions, to the number of sixty at 

 least, descended in fury, and crowded upon the presi- 

 dent's coach ; where they would presently have dis- 

 patched him, had not the blinds been immediately 

 closed, and the apes beaten off by the numerous at- 

 tendants. The flesh of this species is eaten by the 

 wild Arabs. 



The baboon is very formidable, from its great 

 strength, ferocious disposition, and extreme agility. 

 One of them at liberty will easily overcome two or 



