Apes, Monkeys, and Lemurs 



baboons picking up sand, and straining it through their fingers, to see if there were ants in 

 it. He has also seen one hold up sand in the palm of its hand, and blow the dust away with 

 its breath, and then look again to see if anything edible were left. Mandrills kept in 

 captivity until adult become very savage. One in Wombwell's menagerie killed another monkey 

 and a beagle. Mr. Cross owned one which would sit in an armchair, smoke, and drink porter ; 

 but these convivial accomplishments were accompanied by a most ferocious temper. 



One of the earliest accounts of the habits of the Abyssinian baboons was given by Ludolf 

 in his " History of Ethiopia." It was translated into quaint, but excellent old English : " Of 

 Apes," he says, "there are infinite flocks up and down in the mountains, a thousand and 

 more together, and they leave no stone unturned. If they meet with one that two or three 

 cannot lift they call for more aid, and all for the sake of the Worms that lye under, a sort 

 of dyet which they relish exceedingly. They are very greedy after Emmets. So that having 



Photo by Ottomar Aiiscltutz] 



[Berlin. 



PIG-TAILED MONKEY 

 " Footing the line." Note how the monkey uses its feet as hands when walking on a branch. 



found an emmet hill, they presently surround it, and laying their fore paws with the hollow 

 downward upon the ant heap, as soon as the Emmets creep into their treacherous palms they 

 lick 'em off, with great comfort to their stomachs. And there they will lye till there is not an 

 Emmet left. They are also pernicious to fruits and apples, and will destroy whole fields and 

 gardens unless they be looked after. For they are very cunning, and will never venture in 

 till the return of their spies, which they send always before, who, giving all information that 

 it is safe, in they rush with their whole body and make a quick despatch. Therefore they go 

 very quiet and silent to their prey; and if their young ones chance to make a noise, they 

 chastise them with their fists; but if the coast is clear, then every one has a different nou 

 to express his joy." Ludolf clearly means the baboons by this description. 



A more ancient story deals with Alexander's campaigns. He encamped on a mountain on 

 which were numerous bands of monkeys (probably baboons). On the following morning the 

 sentries saw what looked like troops coming to offer them battle. As they had just won a 



