THE MAGOT. 55 
of a large share of the cunning that belongs to the monkeys, and which, when 
aided by their strength of muscle, agility of limb, and quickness of sight, keeps 
them in tolerable security from foes, and enables them to make raids upon cultivated 
lands without suffering the penalty due to their crimes. 
The enenties which these creatures hold in greatest dread are the climbing felide ; 
and on the approach of one of these animals, the colony is instantly in a turmoil. 
The leaders yell their cry of alarm and give the signal for retreat, the mothers snatch 
up their little ones, the powerful males range themselves in battle array, and the whole 
body seeks a place of refuge. 
Open attacks are little feared by the Magots, as their combined forces are sufficiently 
powerful to repel almost any enemy. But at night, when they are quietly sleeping, 
the crafty foe comes stealing along, and climbing up the trees or rocks on which the 
Magots are sitting asleep, strikes down its unsuspecting prey. 
When young, the Magot is tolerably gentle; and as it is sufficiently intelligent 
to learn many tricks, it is frequently brought to Europe, and its accomplishments 
exhibited before the public. But this state of comparative domesticity is only for 
MAGO'T, OR BARBARY APE.--Macdcus Duvwus. 
a time, and as the ~bodily frame becomes more developed, so does the Magot lose 
its gentle nature, and put on a sullen and fierce deportment. Captivity seems to 
exert a terribly depressing influence over the animal when it becomes fitted by 
nature for its wild independence ; and as the stimulus to the mind is removed by the 
restrictions under which the animal is placed, the mind loses its spring, and the 
creature is deserted by the apt intelligence that characterizes its wild state, and 
for which it has then no need. 
This monkey is not very widely spread, for with the exception of the Rock of 
Gibraltar, it seems to be confined to Northern Africa. Some authors state that it 
is found in India, China, and even the entire African continent, but it seems clear 
that there has been some confusion of species. Indeed, the Magot has caused some 
little labour in placing it in its right position, 
It is not a very large animal, as the full-grown males only measure about 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. 
