THE PAPION. 73 
seems to have been considered worthy of forming one of the symbols of that representative 
language, as is shown by the fact that, whenever the Thoth Baboon is engraved, the large 
mass of hair over the shoulders proves it to be of the male sex, and adult. The attitude 
is generally a sitting position. 
Among the Eeyptians, the god Thoth held the same place among the minor deities, as 
Hermes of the Greeks, and Mercury of the Romans,—being probably the prototype of 
them both. 
Another well-known species of the Dog- 
headed Baboons is the PAPIoN, an animal 
of rather a more refined aspect than the 
Chacma, or, more properly speaking, not 
quite so brutal. 
The face, although unattractive enough, is 
yet not so repulsive as that of the Chacma, 
and the colours are rather more bright than 
those of that animal. 
Great reverence was paid to these crea- 
tures, and specially to certain selected in- 
dividuals which were furnished with a safe 
home in or near their temples, liberally fed 
while living, and honourably embalmed when 
dead. Many mummied forms of these 
baboons have been found in the temple caves 
of Egypt, swathed, and spiced, and adorned, 
just as if they had been human beings. 
Some authors say that the Thoth Baboon 
was an object of worship among the Eeyp- 
tians, but hardly with sufticient reason. G Z 
Various animal forms were used as visible THE PAPION.—Cynocéphalus Sphinz. 
living emblems of the attributes of deity, 
and the qualities of the human intellect, but were no more objects of idolatrous worship 
than the lion of England, or the eagle of America. 
The fur of the Papion is of a chestnut colour ; in some parts fading into a sober fawn, 
and in others warmed with a wash of ruddy bay. The paws are darker than the rest of 
the body. When young, it is of a lighter hue, and deepens in colour until it reaches its 
full age. In the prime of existence its colours are the lightest, but as years begin to lay 
their burden on the animal, the hairs begin to be flecked with a sheht grizzle, and, in 
process of time, the snows of age descend liberally, and whiten the whole fur with hoary 
hairs. 
The sense of smell is very largely developed in the baboons, their wide and roomy 
snouts giving plenty of space for the olfactory nerve to spread its branches. Aided by 
this formation, they are enabled to distinguish between poisonous and wholesome food— 
much to the advantage of their human neighbours, who profit by their intelligence, 
knowing that they may safely eat any vegetable which a baboon will admit into its list of 
viands. What is good for baboon is good for man, say they. 
As to the animal food in which these animals indulge, it might possibly be made use 
of under the pressure of imminent starvation, but hardly under any circumstances less 
distressing. It must require a very hungry man to eat a scorpion or a centipede, although 
ants and some other insects are said to possess quite a delicate and almond-like flavour. 
As has already been mentioned, they are singular adepts at discovering the presence of 
water, even though the priceless element should lie concealed under sand or stony ground. 
In such a case of subterraneous springs, the baboons set regularly to work, and, using their 
hands in lieu of spades and mattocks, dig with wonderful celerity. While thus working, 
they divide the task among themselves, and relieve each other at reoular intervals. ‘ 
When the baboons move in parties, they employ an almost military mode of arranging 
their numbers. In the advanced guard are the young males, who keep forward, well in 
