150 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
size and disgustingly conspicuous. This genus is gene- 
rally considered as the lowest in organization, and con- 
sequently in capacity and intelligence, of the tribe to 
which it belongs. 
The colour of the common Baboon is reddish brown ; 
his face and hands are black, and his upper eyelids 
white. The hair of his cheeks forms a considerable tuft 
on each side; and the under surface of his body is but 
sparingly covered. In bulk he is equal to a middle 
sized dog; his proportions are thickset and inelegant ; 
but he is by no means dull or inactive. When young, 
he is gay, playful, and docile; but as he grows older he 
becomes untractable, malicious, and ferocious. He is 
sometimes even dangerous, his muscular strength and 
agility, together with the great power of his teeth and 
jaws, rendering him a formidable opponent. On this 
account it is absolutely necessary to keep him strictly 
confined. He is a native of Africa, and more especially 
of the tropical parts of its western coast. 
