THE BARBARY APE 



magnificent in the extreme, consisting of steep, 

 precipitous rocks, tinted with various shades of 

 purple, slate, and brown, and thickly covered with 

 luxuriant vegetation : while at intervals numerous 

 cascades discharged themselves into the Chiffa. 

 This romantic district abounded in wild life : the 

 Algerian chafHnch, the blue thrush, the rock 

 swallow, the rock dove, and other interesting birds 

 were seen, while high above a couple of buzzards 

 circled in the cloudless azure. The first monkey 

 was noticed sitting close to the road with such 

 confident tameness that it was difficult to believe 

 that it was really a wild animal : several others 

 were observed in the Gorge itself scrambling over 

 the rocks on all fours and climbing into the trees. 

 Most of the animals, however, were seen in the 

 neighbouring Ruisseau des Singes. 



The Ruisseau des Singes is a little stream 

 situated in a ravine, whose rocky sides are if 

 possible even more luxuriantly clothed than the 

 Gorge of the Chiffa with which it is continuous. 

 Ferns and lycopodiums, olive and bay trees, 

 lentisk and juniper grow in rich profusion, while the 

 botanist will also recognise here the curious tree- 

 heaths so characteristic of African mountain 

 scenery. The Barbary ape was abundant at the 

 Ruisseau. There were sturdy old males whose 

 powerful jaws were capable of inflicting a severe 

 bite : female apes also appeared with their young 



