6o QUADRUMANA. 



knowledged ; as two or three young baboons sat close behind him watch- 

 ing his proceedings; sometimes with the most grotesque movements and 

 expressions they would stand directly in his path, and hobble away only 

 at the last moment. One daring youngster followed close on the heels 

 of the patriarch during the whole length of his beat, and gave a sharp 

 tue: at his tail as he was about to turn. The old fellow seemed to treat 

 it with the greatest indifference, scarcely turning round at the insult. 

 Master Impudence was about repeating the performance, when the pater, 

 showing that he was not such a fool as he looked, suddenly sprang round, 

 and catching the young one before he could escape, gave him two or 

 three such cuffs that I could hear the screams that resulted therefrom. 

 The venerable gentleman then chucked the delinquent o- „r his shoulder, 

 and continued his promenade with the greatest coolness; this old baboon 

 was evidently acquainted with the practical details of Solomon's proverb. 

 " A crowd gathered round the naughty child, who child-like, seeing 

 commiseration, shrieked all the louder. I even fancied I could see the 

 angry glances of the mamma, as she took her dear little pet in her arms 

 and removed it from a repetition of such brutal treatment." 



THE SPHINX. 



The species, Cynoccphalus sphinx, is less brutal-looking than the 

 Chacma. It is smaller even than the baboon proper, but more power- 

 fully built, its muzzle is shorter, and it is remarkable for a peculiar 

 thickening on the cheek bones. Its hair is dark-gray and reddish-brown, 

 or chestnut ; the paws are darker than the rest of the body. In the 

 prime of existence its colors are the lightest, but as years begin to lay 

 their burden on the animal, the hairs begin to be flecked with a slight 

 grizzle, and, in process of time, the snows of age descend liberally, and 

 whiten the whole fur with hoary hairs. 



THE HAMADRYAD. 



The Hamadryad, Cynoccphalus hamadryas. — This baboon is remark- 

 able for its form, its intelligence and its unamiable qualities ; and from 

 the peculiar length of its hair it has attained the name of Mantle Baboon. 

 Like the common baboon it is frequently represented on the ancient 

 monuments of Egypt, and was regarded as a symbol of the moon. Many 



