56 THE MAGOT. 



The color of the fur is tolerably uniform, differing chiefly in depth of shade, and is 

 of a clear grayish color. The head is strong and heavy, the eyes deeply set under the 

 overhanging brows, the neck is short and powerful, the teeth are fully developed 

 and sharp, the finger-nails are sufficiently strong to inflict a severe wound ; so 

 that the entire aspect of an adult male Magot is that of a fierce and dangerous 

 animal. 



Its walk on level ground is rather awkward, this animal making use of feet and 

 hands for that purpose ; but it climbs with ease and agility up trees or rocks, and in a 

 domesticated state is fond of running up and down ropes, and swinging itself about 

 its cage. 



In captivity it will eat almost any kind of food,, but in its wild state it prefers fruit, 

 leaves and other vegetable fare, varying its diet by sundry insects which it captures. 

 When enraged it utters a fierce harsh yell, which, when enhanced by the force of 

 numbers, the fury flashing eyes and warlike gestures, often suffices to intimidate a foe 

 from venturing upon an attack. But when it is not under the influence of angry feel- 

 ings, its voice is comparatively mild and gentle, being a soft and almost caressing 

 chatter. 



There is a strange grimace in which this animal habitually indulges on almost 

 every emotion, whether it be caused by pleasure, anger, or disappointment. The 

 cheeks are sucked in, the lips are contracted over the gums, and the teeth are freely 

 exhibited. 



Although it is popularly termed the Barbary Ape, the Magot is not a true ape, 

 being organized after a very different fashion from the veritable Simians. Belonging 

 to the same genus as the Munga and Rhesus, it is almost entirely destitute of the 

 tail which is so conspicuous an adornment of these monkeys. In the Magot the tail 

 is reduced to a mere projection, sufficient to mark the spot where that member would 

 have been placed, but not prominent enough to be ranked among real tails. Owing 

 to this formation, the Magot, although one of the Macaques, was placed among the 

 apes by earlier naturalists. 



When at liberty in its native lands, the Magot has a great predilection for hunting 

 scorpions, insects, and similar creatures, and devouring them on the spot. It displays 

 peculiar aptitude for discovering and pouncing upon its prey. 



Scorpions and beetles are found in profusion under stones, logs, or in similar shelter- 

 ing places, and are there secure from any ordinary foe. But the quick senses of the 

 Magot detect them in their concealment, and the ready hands sweep away the shelter 

 and make the insect prisoner before it recovers the suHden surprise of its violated 

 roof. On the rock of Gibraltar these monkeys are constantly engaged in turning 

 over the loose stones, and by their perpetual industry have, in course of years, quite 

 altered the surface of the earth, affording, it may be, grounds for sore perplexity in the 

 minds of future geologists. 



To any ordinary animal the scorpion would be rather a dangerous prey, and 

 would probably avenge its death most fully by a stroke of its torture-giving and 

 swiftly-lashing tail. The Magot, however, has hands which can overmatch even 

 the scorpion's tail, and no sooner is one of these baneful creatures brought to 

 light, than the monkey pounces upon it, twitches off the poison-joints of the tail, 

 and then, grasping the disarmed scorpion, eats it as composedly as if it were a 

 carrot. 



In default of such large insects as have been mentioned, the Magot turns its 

 attention to smaller deer, and, entering into a mutual engagement with a friend of 

 its own race, they reciprocally exterminate the parasitic insects with which monkeys 

 generally swarm. 



Small though the quarry may be, the Magot displays much excitement in the 

 chase, and after running down its prey successfully, holds the captured insect to its 

 eyes, contemplates it with a grimace of satisfaction, and then daintily eats it. When 

 in captivity it continues the same pursuits, and may often be seen nestling close 

 to a friendly cat or dog, busily engaged in a minute investigation of its fur, and 

 ever and anon giving vent to a little complacent chuckle which proclaims a successful 



