MONKEY KIND. 299 



hot, they drop first that from under their arm, and 

 then that from their hand ; and, if it be continued, 

 they at last let fall that which they had hitherto 

 kept in their mouths. 



The natives of the Cape often take the young 

 of these animals, and feeding them with sheep 

 and goats' milk, accustom them to guard their 

 houses, which duty they perform with great 

 punctuality. Those, however, that have been 

 brought into Europe are headstrong, rude, and 

 untractable. Dogs and cats, when they have 

 done any thing wrong, will run off, but these 

 seem careless, and insensible of the mischief they 

 do ; and I have seen one of them break a whole 

 table of china, as it should seem by design, with- 

 out appearing in the least conscious of having 

 done amiss. It was not, however, in any respect 

 so formidable as that described by M. Buffon, of 

 which he gives the following description : " It 

 was not," says he, " extremely ugly, and yet it 

 excited horror. It continually appeared in a state 

 of savage ferocity, gnashing its teeth, flying at 

 the spectators, and furiously restless. It was 

 obliged to be confined in an iron cage, the bars 

 of which it so forcibly attempted to break, that 

 the spectators were struck with apprehension. 

 It was a sturdy bold animal, whose short limbs 

 and powerful exertions showed vast strength and 

 agility. The long hair with which it was covered 

 seemed to add to its apparent abilities ; which, 

 however, were in reality so great, that it could 

 easily overcome a single man, unless armed. As 

 to the rest, it for ever appeared excited by that 



