OLD WORLD BABOONS 29 



The Baboons. — In nearly every portion of Africa abound- 

 ing in rocky hills covered with scanty vegetation may be 

 found Baboons,- — fierce of aspect, domineering in temper, 

 strong of limb, and sometimes very ugly in countenance. 

 Their noses are long and dog-like. They live on the ground, 

 travel in troops of ten to twenty individuals, and rob grain- 

 fields with great boldness. It is asserted by African explorers 

 that even hungry lions prefer to let them alone. The canine 

 teeth of an adult Baboon are so long and sharp that they are 

 dangerous weapons. Without exception, Baboons are the 

 most fierce-tempered animals of all the Primates, not even 

 excepting the great apes, which never fight when they can 

 run away. 



All told there are about twenty-one species of Baboons, all 

 of which are found in Africa, outside of the dark forests of 

 the equatorial regions. The great Gelada Baboon, 1 of Abys- 

 sinia, is one of the most remarkable of all animals. It is like 

 a small lion, with a Baboon's feet and hands; but its wonder- 

 ful grimaces are peculiar to itself. 



A Baboon of average size stands 24 inches in height at the 

 shoulders, and weighs about 45 pounds. The majority of the 

 species are of a yellowish color, mixed with brown. The 

 Mandrill is known everywhere by its brilliant blue and 

 scarlet muzzle, and yellow chin beard. 



1 The-ro-pith'c-cus gc-la'da. 



