THE PAPION. 



73 



seems to have been considered worthy of forming one of the symbols of that represent- 

 ative language, as is shown by the fact that, whenever the Thoth Baboon is engraved, 

 the large mass of hair over the shoulders proves it to be of the male sex, and adult. 

 The attitude is generally a sitting position. 



Among the Egyptians, the god Thoth held the same place among the minor deities, 

 as Hermes of the Greeks, and Mercury of the Romans, being probably the prototype 

 of them both. 



Another well-known species of the 

 Dog-headed Baboons is the PAPION, an 

 animal of rather a more refined aspect 

 than the Chacma, or, more properly 

 speaking, not quite so brutal. 



The face, although unattractive 

 enough, is yet not so repulsive as that of 

 the Chacma, and the colors are rather 

 more bright than those of that animal. 



Great reverence was paid to these 

 creatures, and specially to certain se- 

 lected individuals which were furnished 

 with a safe home in or near their tem- 

 ples, liberally fed while living, and 

 honorably embalmed when dead. Many 

 mummied forms of these baboons have 

 been found in the temple caves of Egypt, 

 swathed, and spiced, and adorned, just 

 as if they had been human beings. 



Some authors say that the Thoth 

 Baboon was an object of worship 

 among the Egyptians, but hardly with 

 sufficient reason. Various animal forms 

 were used as visible living emblems of 

 the attributes of deity, and the qualities of the human intellect, but were no more 

 objects of idolatrous worship than the lion of England, or the eagle of America. 



The fur of the Papion is of a chestnut color ; in some parts fading into a sober 

 fawn, and in others warmed with a wash of ruddy bay. The paws are darker than the 

 rest of the body. When young, it is of a lighter hue, and deepens in color until it 

 reaches its full age. In the prime of existence its colors are the lightest, but as years 

 begin to lay their burden on the animal, the hairs begin to be flecked with a slight 

 grizzle, and, in process of time, the snows of age descend liberally, and whiten the 

 whole fur with hoary hairs. 



The sense of smell is very largely developed in the baboons, their wide and roomy 

 snouts giving plenty of space for the olfactory nerve to spread its branches. Aided 

 by this formation, they are enabled to distinguish between poisonous and wholesome 

 food much to the advantage of their human neighbors, who profit by their intelli- 

 gence, knowing that they may safely eat any vegetable which a baboon will admit into 

 its list of viands. What is good for baboon is good for man, say they. 



As to the animal food in which these animals indulge, it might possibly be made use 

 of under the presure of imminent starvation, but hardly under any circumstances less 

 distressing. It must require a very hungry man to eat a scorpion or a centipede, although 

 ants and some other insects are said to possess quite a delicate and almondlike flavor. 



As has already been mentioned, they are singular adepts at discovering the presence ot 

 water, even though the priceless element should lie concealed under sand or stony ground. 

 In such a case of subterraneous springs, the baboons set regularly to work, and using 

 their hands in lieu of spades and mattocks, dig with wonderful celerity. While thus work- 

 ing, they divide the task among themselves, and relieve each other at regular intervals. 



When the baboons move in parties, they employ an almost military mode of arranging 

 their numbers. In the advanced guard are the young males, who keep forward, well in 



THE PAPION. Cynocephalus Sphinx. 



