MONKEYS 



the leopard. Three or four of the older males, for in- 

 stance, sit on the trunk of a fallen tree looking out in 

 all directions while the herd feeds or plays in safety. 

 Some tear up blades of grass, others dig for roots, turn 

 over loose stones eagerly, seeking for insects, or dis- 

 port themselves in grotesque antics; the young ones 

 cling to their mothers or follow them. To complete 

 this picture of peacefulness, antelopes and ostriches 

 graze unconcernedly among the monkeys. 



But suddenly the scene changes. One of the guards 

 has seen or scented me or a bird has announced my 

 presence. A shrill cry of alarm and the animals dis- 

 perse as quick as lightning. The monkeys gallop away, 

 the females and young ones in the van, the older 

 males bringing up the rear, looking around from time 

 to time without stopping in their flight. These old 

 male baboons are a good match for a leopard, which 

 therefore confines its attention to females and young 

 ones. The canine teeth of the baboon become in the 

 adult males formidable tusks, effective against the 

 largest of their enemies among the wild beasts. There 

 is not the slightest doubt in my mind that the baboons 

 have a kind of language, by which they not only express 

 their emotions, but by means of which the older animals, 

 when danger threatens, give their commands, that are 

 understood and obeyed liy the herd. The baboons in 

 their flight show that they have a kind of social organi- 

 zation, and that the elders hold authority over the rest. 



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