THE DOG BABOON. 



237 



Tiiis animal is of so ferocious a disposition, that 

 neither art nor caresses can render it docile or tract- 

 able : it is not, however, carnivorous, but feeds en- 

 tirely on roots, fruits, and other vegetables. It inha- 

 bits, the hottest parts of Africa; and numerous troops 

 sometimes enter the cultivated parts, and plunder the 

 gardens and fields. 



One of these animals seen by Mr. Pennant, at 

 Chester, was of surprising strength, and extremely 

 fierce: it went on all fours, and never stood erect, 

 unless compelled by its keeper, but would frequently 

 sit on its rump in a crouching attitude, with its arms 

 crossed before the belly. It was particularly fond of 

 cheese and wheat; and whenever any ears of the lat- 

 ter were given to it, it dexterously picked out the 

 grains with its teeth, and ate them. Its voice was a 

 ilnrl of roar, somewhat like that of a lion, except that 

 it was low, and rather inward. This species is re- 

 markably fond of eggs; and one of them has been 

 known to put eight into his pouches at once ; then 

 taking them out singly, he broke them at the end, 

 and swallowed- their contents in the most deliberate 

 manner. 



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 A^ia. It is 

 above five feet high, and exceedingly strong, vicious, 

 nd impudent. These animals herd together in 

 troops, and commit great depredations. Such, in- 

 deed, are the general propensities of all the ape, ba- 

 boon, and monkey kinds, which are all of tj;em ac- 

 tive, cunning and mischievous creatures, and trouble- 

 some neighbours. 



From the baboon race, we shall, my dear Sir, pro- 

 ceed to take a slight view of the monkey species, a 

 class of animals weaker and less formidable than the 

 former-, but equally, dexterous, crafty, and mischiev- 

 ous. 



The varieties of the monkey tribe are so numerous, 



