The Baboon. 179 



though the length and thickness of its shaggy coat made 

 it appear much larger than it really was, it was so 

 strong and active that it might easily have repelled the 

 attacks of several unarmed men." 



The Cape Baboon, or Chacura (Cynocephalus porcarius), 

 is as big as a large mastiff, covered with hair of an olive- 

 black colour on the back, and with paler hair beneath. 

 He has a canine face ; the snout resembles that of a hog, 

 and the nails are flat, but sharp and very strong. It is 

 said that he follows goats and sheep in order to drink 

 their milk ; he partakes of human dexterity in getting 

 the kernels out of nuts, and loves to be covered with 

 garments ; he stands upright, and imitates with ease 

 many human actions. The cunning of these animals is 

 well exemplified in their mode of plunder. They form 

 long lines, extending from their retreat to the object in 

 view, and then pitch the produce of their theft from hand 

 to hand till it is secure. 



The Mandrill is the largest kind of Baboon, being 

 nearly five feet high when it stands upright. It is 

 distinguished from other Baboons by having a large 

 protuberance on either cheek, which is marked with 

 numerous red, blue, and purple stripes. 



" Those which have been observed in a domestic state 

 are generally remarked to have had a strong taste for 

 fermented and spirituous liquors. A remarkably fine 

 individual which was long kept at Exeter Change, and 

 afterwards at the Surrey Zoological Gardens, drank his 

 pot of porter daily, and evidently enjoyed it ; it was a 

 most amusing sight to see him seated in his little arm- 

 chair with his quart pot beside him, and smoking his 

 short pipe with all the gravity and perseverance of a 

 Dutchman. In a state of nature his great strength and 

 malicious character render the Mandrill a truly formid- 

 able animal. As they generally march in large bands 

 they prove more than a match for the other inhabitants 

 of the forest. The inhabitants themselves are afraid to 

 pass through the woods unless in large companies and 

 well armed." 



