72 QUADRUMANA. 



thoughtful, and careful, knows when it has done wrong, and expresses 

 its sorrow with tears. Other apes exhibit the greatest deference to the 

 solemn Wanderoo, and always behave well when in his company. 



THE MAGOTS AND GIBRALTAR MONKEYS. 



Another species, Macacus inn us, is in some respects the most inter- 

 esting of the Macaques. It is the only one found in Europe, and the 

 absence of a tail has led some naturalists to form it into a genus by itself. 

 The name usually given to it is the Magot or Barbary Ape. 



Known to the ancient Greeks and Romans under the name o{ Pit/irats, 

 it seems to have been the first monkey brought into Europe ; Pliny 

 speaks of one that could play draughts, and perform other human actions, 

 and Galen is supposed to have based his anatomy on dissection of the 

 Magot. 



As the name Barbary Ape implies, they are natives of Algeria and 

 Morocco. They live in numerous bands on the wooded mountains which 

 intersect these countries, and make frequent incursions into the gardens 

 of the unfortunate natives, pillaging the orange trees and tlie fig trees, 

 as well as the melon and tomato beds. These depredations are carried 

 on with much intelligence and great precaution. They dispose tliem- 

 selves in echelon from the wall of the inclosure to a certain part of the 

 garden, passing the plunder from one to another, as soon as collected by 

 the most \enturous. Two or three videttes, placed on an elevated spot, 

 keep a lookout in the neighborhood. At the least sign of danger they 

 give a cry of alarm, when the whole band quickly decamp. 



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 arc 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 



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-lashing tail. The Magot, however, has 



