58 



THE CHACMA. 



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 numbers, they are 

 nearly invincible in their own domains, whether of forest or cliff, bidding defiance to almost 

 every enemy but man. 



Although more ready to shun an enemy than to attack, and always preserving the better 

 part of valor, they are terrible foes when they are brought to bay, and turn upon their enemies 

 with the f urious energy of despair. Active to a degree, and furnished with powerful limbs, 

 they would be no despicable antagonists were their means of attack limited to hands and feet 

 alone ; but when their long sharp teeth and massive jaws are thrown into the scale, it will be 

 seen that hardly the leopard itself is a more formidable animal. 



CHACMA. - Cyiwcephalus porcarius. 



The teeth are formed in a manner which peculiarly fits them for the mode of attack that 

 is employed by all the baboons. The great canine teeth are long and pointed at their tips, 

 Avhile their inner edge is sharp as that of a knife, and can cut with more effect than many a 

 steel weapon. 



Knowing well the power of the terrible armature with which he is gifted, the enraged 

 baboon leaps upon his foe, and drawing it towards him with his hands and feet, fixes his teeth 

 in its throat until the sharp fangs meet together. He then violently pushes the miserable 

 aggressor from him, so that the keen-edged teeth cut their way through the flesh, and inflict 

 a wound that is often immediately fatal. 



In this manner they repel the attacks of dogs ; and woe be to the inexperienced hound 

 who is foolish enough to venture its person within grasp of the baboon' s feet or hands. Many 

 a time have these reckless animals paid for their audacity by their life. The whole affair is 

 the work of only a few seconds. The baboon is scampering away in hot haste, and the hound 

 following at full speed. Suddenly the fugitive casts a quick glance behind him, and seeing 

 that he has only one antagonist close upon him, wheels round, springs on the dog before it 

 can check itself, and in an instant flings the dying hound on the earth, the blood pouring in 

 torrents from its mangled throat. 



Of the Dog-headed baboons, the species which is most celebrated for such feats of prowess 

 is the well-known animal called the Ciiaoma, or Uksine Baboon, the latter title being given 



