THE WANDEROO, G1 
inclined to give it a place at the head of the Baboons, and assert that it forms the link 
between them and the Macaques. 
To this decision they are led by the general physiognomy of this monkey, and by the 
fact that the extremity of the tail is fammished with a brush. Still, the muzzle is not of 
that brutal character which is so repulsively exhibited in the baboons, and the nostrils are 
situated in their ordinary position, instead of being pierced at the extremity of the 
muzzle. 
The Indian name of this animal is “ Nilbandar,” or more properly “ Neel-bhunder,” 
the word being a composite one, and signifying a black Bhunder. 
This very “singular animal is a native of the East Indies, and is found commonly 
enough in Cey lon. The heavy mass of hair that surmounts the head and env elops the 
entire face, gives it a rather dignified aspect, reminding the observer of the huge peruke 
under whose learned shade the ereat legal chiefs Concer judgment. The hair on the top 
of the head is black, but the ereat beard that rolls down the face and beneath the chin 
is of a grey tint, as if blanched by the burden of many years. In some instances this 
beard is almost entirely white, and then the Wanderoo looks very venerable indeed. 
It is not a very mischievous animal in its wild state, and withdraws itself from the 
habitations of men. When in captivity it is of a tetchy and capricious disposition, 
sometimes becoming mild in its demeanour, and presently, without the least apparent 
motive, bursting into a fit of passion, and indulging in all kinds of malicious tricks. But, 
as is the case with so many of the monkey tribe, as the creature becomes older, it loses 
the gentle part of its nature, and develops the brutality alone. Thus, a Wanderoo may 
be quiet, docile, and even affectionate at a year old, and appear quite a model of monkey 
nature; at two years of age the same animal will be full of lively caprice, at times 
playful, and at times cross and savage ; while at full age, the creature will be surly, inert, 
savage, and revengeful. 
From the form of the tail, which is of a moderate length, and decorated with a hairy tuft 
at its extremity, the Wanderoo is also known by the name of the Lion-tailed Baboon. 
The greater part of the fur of this animal is of a fine black, but the colour assumes 
a lighter hue on the breast and abdomen. The callosities on the hinder quarters are of 
a light pink. 
‘Tt is not a very large animal, being rather less than three feet from the nose to the tip 
of the tail. 
The name Silenus is appropriate enough, for the white beard and whiskers bear some 
resemblance to those facial ornaments attributed to the aged companion of the youthful 
Bacchus. And the specific title of “Veter,” signifying “old,” is well earned by the 
veteran aspect of the animal. The eye is a bright brown, and looks knowingly out of the 
hairy mass, from which it peers inquisitively at the bystanders. 
Probably on account of the sapient mien, for which it is indebted to the mass of 
circumfluous locks, the Wanderoo is considered by the inhabitants to be a personage of 
great distinction among its own people. All other monkeys of the same land are said to 
pay the most profound reverence to their bearded chief, and, in his presence, to humble 
themselves as subjects before an emperor. 
When feeding, the Wanderoo has a discreet custom of filling its cheek pouches before 
it begins to eat, thus laying up a provision against future emergencies before it has begun 
to satisfy the actual present wants of hunger. This habit presents a curious analogy with 
the peculiar stomach of the ruminating animals, when in the act of eating; a portion of 
the food passes into a series of pockets or pouches, where it is retained until the creature 
is possessed of time and leisure for re-mastication. 
In its earlier youth, the Wanderoo is susceptible of education, and can be trained to 
perform many ingenious tricks, preferring those of a graye and sedate cast to the mercurial 
and erratic accomplishments displayed by the generality of learned monkeys. 
