62 BEASTS AND MEN 
hungry. It is on account of the selfishness of the males that 
females and young baboons are so rarely caught in the cages 
by means of bait. When by chance one does get in, it is 
usually allowed to escape again. 
Menges, who has worked much on these baboon-stations, 
and whose account I here follow, has a low opinion of the 
intelligence of the animals. This he has derived from the 
circumstance that the same individual, when allowed to 
escape, is so often caught again inthe same trap. There is no 
doubt that this is the case ; and, since the traps are large and 
easily recognisable, it seems to argue no great intelligence on the 
part ofthecreatures. Abdulla relates how he caught one young 
female, which he could recognise by a scar on the mouth, no 
less than three times—each time, I regret to say, with a differ- 
ent husband. On the third occasion he gave her a good 
hiding with his sjambok, and sent her about her business. 
But another explanation of their falling so frequently into the 
same trap is possible. For, among baboons, domestic dis- 
cipline is very severe; a female has to do exactly what her 
husband wants, or else there is arow. In the case mentioned 
above it is very probable that the female, having been twice 
widowed and then appropriated by a third husband, was 
compelled to follow him, however unwillingly, into the trap. 
However entertaining baboon-catching may be to read 
about, it is a very serious business for the actors. The 
beasts have very powerful teeth and prodigious muscular 
strength; and if one of them should happen to escape, he 
might inflict severe injury upon his captors. 
Our station soon fills up with our four-handed guests. In 
eight days we have caught no less than twenty-two of them, 
all from the rocky wastes lying near the camp. They take 
kindly to their captivity, however; and, from the very first 
day, have taken the food provided for them. Their com- 
rades, still at large, do not forget them; and often after the 
midday drink will come close up to the seriba, and, climbing 
up the tall palm-trees, howl out unintelligible words, which 
