THE CAPE BABOON OR BAVIAN 



bulbs underground. These bulbs are reservoirs of 

 water, but some of them are poisonous. So acute 

 are the senses of taste and smell of the baboons, 

 that it is perfectly safe to eat anything of which 

 one of these apes partakes. The presence of water 

 beneath the surface of the ground is also discovered 

 at times by means of a baboon. The animal is given 

 some salty food, and water is withheld until the 

 poor creature is almost mad with thirst. It is then 

 led out on a cord, long enough to allow it sufficient 

 freedom to range to right and left. Should water 

 be within a few feet of the surface, the baboon at 

 once detects its presence, and begins digging with 

 its ringers. Spades are procured and a hole is sunk. 

 This plan is often very successful in the dry beds of 

 rivers, or in hollows or other situations where water 

 accumulates after a sudden downfall of rain. The 

 water soaks through the sandy surface and gathers 

 on a stratum of clay, through which it cannot soak ; 

 and although the surface may at the time be dry and 

 baked, yet within perhaps three feet of .the surface 

 there is a considerable quantity of water available 

 if a hole is dug, for the water at once begins to drain 

 into this hole, and may be ladled out. 



The Cape Baboon, when young, makes one of the 

 most affectionate and loving of pets, and is lively, 

 playful, and free from malice. When it becomes 

 adult, however, it loses its playfulness, and fre- 

 quently gets surly and morose, and cannot always 

 be trusted. I have seen serious injury done to people 

 55 



