170 THE PIG-T AILED BABOON, &c. 



ursine baboon, which abound near the Cape of Good Hope, 

 where troops of them assemble together, and make predatory 

 expeditions, in order to plunder the plantations and orchards. 

 In these inroads, they observe the greatest precaution, and place 

 a sentinel in order to prevent surprise. The sentinel thus placed, 

 gives a loud yell on the approach of a man, and the whole troop 

 retreat with the utmost precipitation. On these occasions, it is 

 highly entertaining to see the females running away with their 

 young ones clinging to their backs, whilst their pouches are 

 crammed full of bread. Sometimes they form a line, and with 

 admirable dexterity throw the fruit from one to another, in order 

 to carry it off with greater expedition. 



THE PIG-TAILED BABOON 



Is chiefly remarkable for being gentle and tractable, lively and 

 frolicsome, without that impudent petulance, or that savage fe 

 rocity, so common to most of the baboon ravje. 



THE DOG BABOON 



Is distinguished by a longer tail than the rest of this numerous 

 tribe, and seems to form the connecting link between the baboon 

 and the monkey kind. It inhabits the hottest regions of Africa 

 and Asia. It is above five feet high, and exceedingly strong, 

 vicious, and impudent. These animals herd together in troops, 

 and commit great depredations. Such, indeed, are the general 

 propensities of all the ape, baboon, and monkey kinds, all of 

 which are active, cunning, and mischievous creatures, and trou- 

 blesome neighbours. 



From the baboon race, we shall proceed to take a slight view 

 of the monkey species a class of animals weaker and less for- 

 midable than the former, but equally dexterous, crafty, and mis- 

 chievous. 



The varieties of the monkey tribe are so numerous, that it is 

 difficult to describe the different species, or even to enumerate 

 their characteristic distinctions. Every country of the torrid 

 zone swarms with these restless, petulant, and troublesome ani- 

 mals ; and every forest is enlivened by their restless activity and 

 frolicsome gambols. The inhabitants of the tropical regions re- 

 gard monkeys as one of their greatest pests, as they often do in- 

 credible damage among their fields of Indian corn and rice, and 

 indeed are not less destructive to fruit. Their method of plun- 

 dering resembles that of the baboons, and is conducted with 

 equal dexterity, sagacity, and caution. They are also very 

 troublesome to travellers, by pelting them with stones, dirt, and 

 branches of trees. 



Monkeys have an extraordinary attachment to their young. 



