THE TRUE BABOONS 



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The Arabian baboon, as its name implies, inhabits Arabia, but it is more com- 

 mon on the African continent, in Abyssinia and the Sudan. It is not now found in 

 Egypt, but it may have been in ancient times ; although, on the other hand, it is 

 quite probable that it may have been imported by the ancient Egyptians from the 

 Sudan. It is just possible that the animal mentioned in the Scriptures under the 

 name of satyr may be this species. 



THE ARABIAN BABOON. 



(One-eighth natural size.) 



Among the ancient Egyptians the baboon occupied a prominent 

 Early History p lace . Q ^ long . ser j es o f sacre d animals, and was consecrated to the 



god Thoth. When sculptured by itself, it is the male that is represented, and it is 

 always placed in a seated position, with the hands resting on the knees, the mane 

 investing the body like a huge cloak. Hermopolis, the city of Thoth, was especially 



