

V BRTEBRATA 





THE BLACK MACAKE. — (See p. 93.) 



M V .< ■!' : Magus— pithecus of the ancients. The magots greatly resemble the macakes. 

 th. ncc being that the former have only a rudimental tail, two or three inches long. 



\| \ Magui sn/lvanus, or Macacus inuus, called the Barbary ape, is the only species of the 



rhteen inches long; its head is large, its snout large and long, its nose flat 



a livid flesh-color, its body thick, and its limbs well knit. Its cheek-pouches 



.-, and it- teeth large and strong. The upper parts are of a golden yellow, travel 



slight black bands; the lower arc yellowish gray. It is a native of Barbary, and is among 



tii.. most • of the monkeys, bearing transportation to temperate climates with little injury. 



!■ • the monkeys most commonly taken to Europe, and is an indispensable accompaniment 



nbulating menageries. Its turn for mimicry is well known. 



- a laughable anecdote of one of these animals, which he brought up tame, anil 



m< bo attached to him as t<> be desirous of accompanying him wherever he went : 



. In' had to perform divine service, he was under the necessity of shutting him up. 



I ' day. how. hi; the animal escaped, and followed the father to church, where, silently mount- 



the top of the sounding-board, above the pulpit, he lay perfectly quiet till the sermon 



If. tlnii crept to the edge, and overlooking the preacher, imitated his gestures in so gro- 



■ manner that the whole congregation were unavoidably excited to laughter. Caubasson, 



I and displeased at this ill-timed levity, reproved his auditors for their inattention; and on 



• bis n proof, he, in the warmth of zeal, redoubled his actions and his vocifera- 



• tie- a]"- so exactly imitated, that all respect for their pastor was swallowed up in the 



them, and they hurst into a loud and continued roar of laughter. A friend of the 



pped up to him, and on pointing out the cause of this improper conduct, it 



tmosl difficulty he could command a serious countenance while he ordered the ape 



to I awaj . 



In tie ir i the magots are among the liveliest and mo>t intelligent of monkeys. They 



to frighten and in some degree to command the linger animals of tin 



lephant and rhinoceros, by pursuing them with hideous cries and throwing down 



■ hi them. When living near the abodes of man, they make great depreda- 



■ fruit. When engaged in their thefts, they station sentinels on high place.-. 



:u by load cries, in caa a of danger. Their most dangerous enemies are those ' 



"h. up.. n them at night, as the lynx, cerval, and other animals that seek their prey in 



-. They are social in disposition, and live in large companies. The mothers 

 ing them with care, loving and caressing themj and defending them 



