Or 
lor] 
THE MAGOT. 
The colour of the fur is tolerably uniform, differing chiefly in depth of shade, 
and is of a clear greyish colour. The head is strong and heavy, the eyes deeply set 
under the overhanging 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 emotion, 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 conspicuous 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 of 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 
scorpions, 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 probably avenge its death most fully by a stroke of -its torture-giving and 
swiftly-lashine 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 reciprocally 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 givine vent to a little complacent chuckle which proclaims a successful 
