BABOONS. 31 



Among some savage nations, apes are considered as the 

 principal divinities, and temples are erected to their 

 honour. When the Portuguese plundered an edifice of 

 this kind in Ceylon, they found the tooth of an ape in a 

 small golden casket, which the natives held in such vene- 

 ration that they offered seven hundred thousand ducats 

 for its redemption ; but the viceroy rejected this offer as 

 savouring of idolatry, and ordered the precious relic to 

 be burnt ! 



BABOONS. 



THESE constitute the second division of the ape kind ; 

 and form a large, fierce, and formidable race. They ap- 

 proach more nearly to the configuration of the brute than 

 of the man, having all the wild impetuous motions of the 

 former ; they are moreover furnished with a tail, a pro- 

 minent face, and sharp claws, which latter serve them as 

 instruments of annoyance or defence. 



The baboon, properly so called, grows to the height of 

 from three to four feet : generally walks on all the four 

 feet, though capable of preserving the erect posture ; 

 and is extremely libidinous and vindictive, though some 

 species, when detached from their fellows, may be trained 

 to habits of comparative mildness and docility. They 

 are all, however, naturally mischievous ; and inspire terror 

 from their ferocious aspect. They are the most numerous 

 in Africa ; particularly in the vicinity of the Cape of 

 Good Hope, where they are sometimes trained to guard 

 the houses like dogs. 



LARGE BABOON, OR PAPIO. 



This animal has a very canine aspect ; and is in some 

 parts of a bright vermilion colour, and truncated at the ex- 

 tremity like a hog. The hair on the forehead is extremely 

 c 4 



