THE MAGOT. 



55 



of a large share of the cunning that belongs to the monkeys, and which, when aided 

 by their strength of muscle, agility of limb, and quickness of sight, keeps them in 

 tolerable security from foes, and enables them to make raids upon cultivated lands 

 without suffering the penalty due to their crimes. 



The enemies which these creatures hold in greatest dread are the climbing felidae ; 

 and on the approach of one of these animals, the colony is instantly in a turmoil. The 

 leaders yell their cry of alarm and give the signal for retreat, the mothers snatch up 

 their little ones, the powerful males range themselves in battle array, and the whole 

 body seeks a place of refuge. 



Open attacks are little feared by the Magots, as their combined forces are sufficiently 

 powerful to repel almost any enemy. But at night, when they are quietly sleeping, 

 the crafty foe comes stealing along, and climbing up the trees or rocks on which the 

 Magots are sitting asleep, strikes down its unsuspecting prey. 



When young, the Magot is tolerably gentl ; and as it is sufficiently intelligent to 

 learn many tricks, it is frequently brought to Europe, and its accomplishments ex- 

 hibited before the public. But this state of comparative domesticity is only for a time, 



MAGOT, OR BARBARY APE.-Afacaciis lancus. 



and as the bodily frame becomes more developed, so does the Magot lose its gentle 

 nature, and put on a sullen and fierce deportment. Captivity seems to exert a terri- 

 bly depressing influence over the animal as soon as it becomes fitted by nature for its 

 wild independence ; and as the stimulus to the mind is removed by the restrictions 

 under which the animal is placed, the mind loses its spring, and the creature is deserted 

 by the apt intelligence that characterizes its wild state, and for which it has no need 

 in its hopeless thraldom. 



This monkey is not very widely spread, for with the exception of the Rock of 

 Gibraltar, it seems to be confined to Northern Africa. Some authors state that it is 

 found in India, China, and even the entire African continent, but it seems clear that 

 there has been some confusion of species. Indeed, the Magot has caused some little 

 labor in placing it in its right position. 



It is not a very large animal, as the full-grown males only measure about a yard in 

 length, and the females are rather smaller. The general size of the Magot is about 

 that of an ordinary bull-terrier dog. 



