THE GELADA. 63 



the eyes, as in the apes, and other quadrumanous animals. The muzzle, too, is peculiar 

 in its form, being, as it were, cut off abruptly, leaving a round and flattened extremity, 

 which is well shown in the engraving of the Gelada, on p. 64. This extreme projection 

 is not so conspicuous in the young baboon as when it attains a more mature age, and, 

 indeed, is sometimes so little developed, that the young baboons have been taken for 

 adult Macaques. 



Of all the Quadrumana, the baboons are the most morose in temper, the fiercest in 

 character, and the most repellent in manners. 



So odiously disgusting are the habits in which many of these animals continually 

 indulge, that, as a general rule, their presence is offensive in the extreme, and, excepting 

 for purposes of scientific investigation, it is better to shun the cage that holds any 

 specimen of these creatures. 



There are now and then exceptional cases, but they are few and far between, and it is 

 hardly possible to watch an adult baboon for many minutes without incurring a risk of 

 some shock to the nerves. Even their exceeding cunning, and the crafty wiles which 

 are hatched in their fertile brains cannot atone for their habitual offences against 

 decorum. 



It is rather curious that in the preceding genera, such as the Cercopitheci, and the 

 Cercocebi, the chief characteristic from which the genus derives its rather lengthy title 

 is founded upon the tail ; while in the baboons, the systematic naturalists leaped at 

 one bound to the opposite extremity of the body, and took up their stand upon the 

 head. 



For the introduction to science of the GELADA, one of the most singular of these 

 animals, we are indebted to Dr. Ruppell, who has gained so well-earned a name in the 

 annals of natural science. 



Together with all the Cynocephali, the Gelada is a native of Africa, Abyssinia being 

 the country from which our specimens have been derived. Dr. Ruppell, in his work on 

 the " Fauna of Abyssinia," places this animal among the Macaques. The adult animal 

 exhibits in perfection the curious mass of hair that is seen to cover the neck and 

 shoulders of the monkeys of this group, and sit magnificently placid under the shade of 

 its capillary mantle. 



The young Gelada is almost totally devoid of this heavy mane, if it can be so called, 

 and only by slight indications gives promise of the future development. 



The general color of this animal is a brown tint of varying intensity. The body and 

 mane are of a dark brown, fading into a much lighter hue on the top of the head and 

 sides of the face. The limbs partake of the character of the body, with the exception 

 of the fore-legs, and paws, and the hinder feet, on which the fur is nearly black. 



The baboons are more quadrupedal in their gait than any of the animals hitherto 

 described, their formation being well adapted to such a style of progression. Even in 

 walking some three or four steps, they seldom move otherwise than on all-fours, and when 

 at liberty in their native haunts, are almost invariably seen either to walk like a dog, or 

 to sit in the usual monkey fashion, discarding all attempts to imitate the human attitude. 

 Sometimes they will stand in a tolerably erect posture for a few moments if they are 

 desirous of looking at a distant object, or of playing some of their fantastic pranks ; but 

 even in that case, they usually aid themselves by resting a paw on any convenient 

 support. 



Their paces are generally of two kinds, a walk when they are at leisure and un- 

 interrupted in their proceedings, and a gallop when they are alarmed, or otherwise 

 hurried. The walk is remarkable for its jaunty impertinence, and must be seen before 

 it can be properly appreciated. There is an easy, undulating swagger of the whole 

 person, and a pretentious carriage of the tail, that, aided by the quick cunning blink of 

 the little deep-set eyes, imparts an indescribable air of effrontery to the animal. This 

 characteristic action is admirably hit off by the artist in the lesser figures depicted in 

 the engraving on p. 62. Their pace, when hurried, is a gallop, somewhat resembling 

 that of a dog. 



All the baboons are excellent climbers of trees, as well as accomplished cragsmen, 

 and are seldom found very far from trees or rocks. As they band together in great 



