222 ZOOLOGY. 



Class MAMMALIA. 

 Order QUADRUMANA. 



I. Cynocephalus hamadryas, L. 



Hemp, and Ehi. Symb. Phys. t. 11. 



Kiipp. Neu. Wirb. p. 7. — Brehm, Habesch, No. 2. 



The great Dog-faced Baboon, the Sacred Ape (Thoth) 

 of the ancient Egyptians, is by far the commonest 

 Monkey throughout the portion of Abyssinia traversed 

 by me. It was met with everywhere from the plains 

 around Annesley Bay to the top of the Dalanta plateau, 

 although most abundant, perhaps, in the tropical and 

 subtropical portions of the country. I saw a small herd 

 ■close to Theodore's old camp at Baba, on the Dalanta 

 plateau, at above 9,000 feet of elevation. In the passes 

 leading to the table-land from the coast immense num- 

 bers were constantly seen, and the animals evidently 

 keep much to the sides of rocky ravines. 



The herds vary in number ; . some cannot include much 

 less than 250 to 300 Monkeys of aU ages. The old males 

 are always most conspicuous animals, all the forepart of 

 their body being covered with long hair. They usually 

 take the lead when the troop is moving ; some of them 

 also bringing up the rear ; others placing themselves on 

 high rocks or bushes, and keeping a sharp look-out after 

 enemies. A troop collected on a rocky crag presents a 



