576 MAMMALIA. 



the dissection of human bodies was sternly interdicted. Galen, 

 seeing the great apparent analogy between the skeleton of Man and 

 that of the Monkey, believed he could employ it in composing his 

 work on human anatomy. What is very strange, is, that this 

 anatomy of Man, taken from the Monkey, sufficed during a long 

 period for the requirements of surgery and medicine. When, m the 

 sixteenth century, the illustrious anatomist Andreas Vesalius de- 

 monstrated that Galen had described the organs of the Monkey for 

 those of Man, he had much difficulty in getting any one to accept 

 this truth. This proves two things : first, that the structure of 

 the Monkey, whatever may be said to the contrary, is but little 

 different from that of Man ; and, secondly, that there is no truth, 

 however clear and simple it may be, which will not find its 

 opponents and its sceptics. 



The Magots inhabit certain regions of North Africa, principally 

 Algeria and Morocco. They live in numerous bands on the wooded 

 moimtains which intersect these countries ; and make frequent 

 incursions into the gardens of the unfortunate natives, pillaging 

 the orange trees and the fig trees, as weU as the melon and 

 tomatoe-beds. These depredations are carried on with much 

 intelligence and great precaution. They dispose themselves in 

 echelon from the wall of the inclosure to a certain part of the 

 garden, passing the plunder from one to another, as soon as col- 

 lected by the most venturous. Two or three videttes, placed on 

 an elevated spot, keep a look-out in the neighbourhood. At the 

 least sign of danger they give a crj^ of alarm, when the whole 

 band quickly decamp. 



Magots are found in Europe, on the rock of Gibraltar, but 

 their number is very limited. It is generally believed that they 

 are derived from individuals which had been imported from Africa 

 and escaped from captivity. Some authors, however, pretend that 

 naturally they belong to the Spanish Fauna, and they explain this 

 by the supposition that the Straits of Gibraltar did not always 

 exist, and that the European and African Continents at one time 

 were united at this part by an isthmus ; but the hypothesis 

 which allots the Magot to the Iberian Fauna, is scarcely pro- 

 bable. 



At whatever period of life it may be taken, the Magot has its 

 face wrinkled and old-looking. When young it is gentle and 



