1 3 o APES AND MONKEYS. 



saw a singular spectacle. A large troop of baboons, at least two hundred in number, 

 were hunting for any corn dropped upon the ground in the place where the horses 

 had been picketed. They were the first I had seen, though the sight of these 

 uncouth monkeys soon became familiar enough. The species (C. hamadryas) is 

 the well-known dog-faced baboon of North-Eastern Africa and Arabia, the same 

 which is frequently represented on Egyptian monuments. The male is a most 

 formidable-looking animal, something between a lion and a French poodle in 

 appearance, with long hair over his shoulders and fore-parts." 



In another part of the same work the writer just quoted observes that in 

 Abyssinia this baboon " was met with everywhere, from the plains around Annesley 

 Bay to the top of the Dalanta plateau, although most abundant, perhaps, in the 

 tropical and subtropical parts of the country. I saw a small herd close to Theodore's 

 old camp at Baba, on the Dalanta plateau, at about nine thousand feet of elevation. 

 In the passes leading from the table-land to the coast, immense numbers were 

 constantly seen, and the animals evidently keep much to the sides of rocky 

 ravines. 



" The herds vary in number ; some cannot include much less than from two 

 hundred and fifty to three hundred monkeys of all ages. The old males usually 

 take the lead when the troop is moving ; some of them also bringing up the rear ; 

 others placing themselves on high rocks or bushes, and keeping a sharp look-out 

 after enemies. A troop collected on a rocky crag presents a most singular appear- 

 ance. I several times saw large numbers assembled around springs in the evening 

 in the thirsty Shoho country between Komayle and Senafe. On such occasions 

 every jutting rock, every little stone more prominent than the rest, was occupied by 

 a patriarch of the herd, who sat, with the gravity and watchfulness befitting his 

 grizzled hair, waiting patiently until the last of his human rivals had slaked his 

 own thirst and that of his cattle. Around, the females were mainly occupied in 

 taking care of the young ; the smaller monkeys amusing themselves by gamboling 

 about. Occasionally, if a young monkey became too noisy, or interfered with the 

 repose of his seniors, he ' caught it ' in most unmistakable style, and was dismissed 

 with many cuffs, a wiser if not a better monkey." 



The same writer mentions that the food of this baboon consists mainly of small 

 fruits, berries, and seeds ; although young shoots and buds of trees form a portion 

 of its diet. Like the rest of its kind, it avoids forests and trees, and keeps mainly 

 to the open country, preferring rocky spots. When it climbs, it does so in a heavy 

 and ungainly manner, very unlike the active movements of the generality of 

 monkeys. Its movements, when on the ground and in a hurry, partake more of 

 the nature of a steady gallop than the bounding motion of other monkeys. 



As Mr. Blanford observes, the association of these baboons in such large troops 

 is doubtless for the purpose of mutual protection. The old males are, indeed, 

 formidable antagonists, and there are many anecdotes of their attacking, or at least 

 threatening, men. From the circumstance that none of the members of the 

 Abyssinian expedition were attacked by these animals, Mr. Blanford is, however, 

 of opinion that it is but seldom that such onslaughts take place. There is one 

 well-authenticated instance of a troop combining to attack a leopard which had 

 carried off one of their number. 



