ANIMALS. 423 



An animal thus made for strength, and furnished with dan- 

 gerous weapons, is found, in fact, to be one of the most formi 

 dable of the savage race in those countries where it is bred. It ap- 

 pears in its native woods, to be impelled by two opposite passions ; 

 d hatred for the males of the human species, and a desire for women. 

 Were we assured of these strange oppositions in its disposition 

 from one testimony alone, the account might appear doubtful : 

 but as it comes from a variety of the most credible witnesses, 

 we cannot refuse our assent. From them therefore, we learn, 

 that these animals will often assail women in a body, and force 

 them into the woods, where they keep them against their will 

 and kill them when refractory. From the Chevalier Forbin 

 we learn, that in Siam whole troops of these will often sally 

 forth from their forests, and attack a village when they know 

 the men are engaged in their rice harvest. They are on such 

 occasions actuated as well by desire as by hunger; and not only 

 plunder the houses of whatever provisions they can find but en- 

 deavour to force the women. These, however, as the Chevalier 

 humorously relates, not at all liking either the manners or the 

 figure of the paltry galhuits, boldly stand on their defence, and 

 v\ath clubs, or whatever other arms they can provide, instead 

 of answering their caresses, oblige their ugly visitors to retreat ; 

 not, however, before they have damaged or plundered every 

 thing eatable they can lay their hands on. 



The cheeks are furnished « itli pouches capable of much distension ; and 

 the muzzle terminates in a flattened extremity like that of the dog, on 

 wliich tlie opening's of the nostrils are situated. Tlie tail is generally as 

 long as, and sometimes even longer than the body ; but in several of tlie 

 species it is extremely short. The callosities are frequently of large size and 

 disgustingly conspicuous. Tliis genus is generally considered as the lowest 

 in organization, and consequently in capacity and intelligence, of the tribe 

 to wliich it belongs. 



The colour of the common baboon is reddish browni ; his face and hands 

 are black, and his upper eye-lids wliite. The hair of his cheeks forms a con 

 Eiderable tuft on each side ; and the under surface of his body is but sparinir 

 ly covered. In bulk he is equal to a middle sized dog ; liis proportions are 

 tliickset and inelegant ; he is by no means dull or inactive. When young 

 he is gay, playful, and docUe ; but as he grows older lie becomes untractable, 

 malicious, and ferocious. He is sometimes even dangerous, Ms miiscular 

 strength and agility together, with the great power of liis teeth and jawsren. 

 dering him a formidable opponent. On tliis account it is absolutely neces- 

 sary to keep him strictly confined. He is a native of AfricSj and more es- 

 pecially of the tropical parts of its western coast. 



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