TkE URSINE liABOON". 6l 



Tbut short below. The face is naked^ and the ears 

 are pointed and hidden in the hair. 



The Ursine Bahoon. 



These animals, which arc usually supposed to be 

 a variety of the Dog-faced Baboons, are nativ cs of 

 South Africa^ and arc found in great numbers among 

 the mountains at the Cape, They associate in troops, 

 and when any person approaches their haunts, they 

 set up an universal and horrible cry for a minute or 

 two, and then conceal themselves in their fastnesses, 

 and keep a profound silence. They seldom descend 

 to the plains, except for the purpose of plundering 

 the gardens that lie near the foot of the mountains. 

 While they are engaged in this they are careful 

 enough to place centinels to prevent being surpris- 

 ed. They break the fruit into pieces, and cram it 

 into their cheek- pouches, in order, afterwards, to 

 cat it at leisure. The centinel, if he sees a man, 

 gives a loud yell, which lasts for about a minute ; 

 and the whole troop retreats vv^ith the utmost expe- 

 dition, and in a most diverting manner, the young 

 jumping on, and clinging to the backs of their pa- 

 rents *. They feed also on several kinds of bulbous 

 plants, v/liich they dig up and peel with great ad- 

 dress. Heaps of the parings of these may frequent- 

 ly be seen left behind them -f. 



When they discover any single person restine^ 

 and regaling himself in the ticlds, if great care i» 



» Peuii. Quad. i. ISl. t Thuuberg, i. 2^3. 



