THE GIBRALTAR MONKEYS. JT, 



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 i)oison-joints of the tail, and then, 

 grasping the disarmed scorpion, eats it as composedly as if it were 

 a carrot. 



The enemies which these creatures hold in greatest dread are the 

 climbing felidas; and on the approach of one of these animals, the colony 

 is instantly in a turmoil. The leaders yell their cry of alarm and give 

 the signal for retreat, the mothers snatch up their little ones, the power- 

 ful males range themselves in battle array, and the whole body seeks a 

 place of refuge. 



The color of the Magot is a clear gray. The head is strong and 

 heavy, the eyes deeply set, the neck short and powerful, the teeth sharp, 

 the nails strong; the face is always old-looking. It is not often seen in 

 zoological gardens, but it displays in captivity a strong attachment to its 

 master, and a fondness for nursing other animals, especially if they are 

 young and helpless. It carries them in its arms, keeps their coats clean 

 and free from vermin, and is ji;alous if interfered with. 



Gibraltar is the spot in Europe where the Magots have been since 

 time immemorial. Some writers suppose that they have been on the 

 rock since the time when the Straits did not exist ; the Moors assert that 

 there is an underground passage between the Spanish and African shores 

 which the Magots traverse. Most probably they were introduced by the 

 Moorish invaders of the Peninsula. They live on the summit of the rock, 

 and move about from place to place to escape the wind. Great care has 

 been taken of them by the English authorities, and their numbers are 

 reported to the Quartermaster of the garrison. In spite of all care, 

 however, their numbers had dwindled down to ten in 1856, and in a kw 

 years had fallen to four, all of the same sex, and finally to three. 

 Alarmed by this report, Brehm wrote to the English governor of the 

 fortress, and had his fears removed by the following answer: "The num- 

 ber of apes which at present inhabit the Rock amounts to eleven. As it 

 has been found that they can easily find sufficient food on the rock, they 

 are not fed, but left to themselves. The signal-man looks after them, and 

 prevents them from being chased or disturbed. lie keeps an account of 

 them, and, as they are always together, is well informed concerning them 

 and their movements. 



" When and how they came to the Rock nobody knows, but the most 

 10 



