168 



FAMILY SIMIAD^E. BABOONS. 



marked with numerous prominent ribs of light blue, scarlet, and 

 deep purple ; the hair is a light olive-brown above, and a 

 silvery grey beneath ; but of a deep orange colour beneath the 

 chin, where it forms a small pointed beard; and directed 

 upwards above the forehead and temples, so as to meet in a 

 point on the crown, so as to give to the head a triangular 

 appearance ; the ears, palms, and soles are violet-black : and 

 the callosities are of a bright scarlet. In its native wilds, the 

 Mandrill associates in large troops, which are more than a match 

 for the fiercest beast of prey ; and they often make excursions 

 into villages and cultivated fields, which they plunder with 

 impunity. Their voice is deep and guttural, consisting of hoarse 

 abrupt tones, which indicate fury and malice ; and in captivity 

 they are very furious and violent, killing any animals that come 

 within their reach, when their passions are excited, and being 

 more than a match for the strongest unarmed man. This for- 

 midable animal is a native of the Western Coast of Africa ; as is 

 also another species, the Drill, which is rather smaller in stature 

 than the Mandrill, and less fero- 

 cious. The face is black ; but the 

 beard is orange-coloured. The ac- 

 companying delineation of the head 

 shows the marked approach in its 

 form to that of the Carnivorous 

 Mammals. 



157. In concluding this account 

 of the SIMIAD^E, we may stop to 

 notice some peculiarities in the 

 geographical distribution of the 

 family, which are of much interest 

 to the philosophic naturalist. It is 

 evident that the south-east of Asia 

 may be regarded as the head- 

 quarters of the Ape tribe ; since we find but one species, the 

 Chimpanzee, beyond its limits. Neither the Monkeys nor the 

 Baboons which inhabit that region present the full development 

 of their respective characters ; for the Semnopitheci want the 



FIG. 74. HEAD OF THE DRILL. 



