THE DOG-FACED BABOON. 109 



THE DOG-FACED BABOON. 



IN THE ROYAL MENAGERY, TOWER OF LONDON. 



This species of baboon is of a bright colour, composed of a mixture of grey and brown, the hair 

 appearing as if speckled. It is a very large animal, at least equal, if not superior, to the common 

 brown baboon and the mormon, its average height being between four and five feet. It is remarkable 

 for a vast quantity of flowing hair on each side of the head, as well as round the shoulders, spreading 

 in such a manner as to give the appearance of a short cloak or mantle. The whole face is naked and 

 of a flesh colour, more or less deep in different individuals. The eyes are deeply seated and of a 

 chestnut colour. The bare spaces on each side of the tail are very large, protuberant, and of a very 

 bright flesh colour, or rather red. The tail is almost the length of the body, and is commonly a little 

 tufted at the end. The nails on the hands, or fore feet, are flat ; those on the hind feet resemble claws. 

 This is a rare species, in comparison with the common baboon, and is a native of the hottest parts of 

 Africa and Asia. There is a wonderful degree of sagacity in the countenance of the animal, and a 

 kind of solemn contemplative disposition seems to be strongly indicated in its looks, when calm and 

 undisturbed ; but when irritated, the most striking efforts of vindictive violence are immediately 

 exhibited. It is also possessed of an uncommon degree of obstinate moroseness,, surpassing most 

 others of its tribe ; and is, when in a state of confinement, of a disposition so rude and unquiet, and of 

 manners so peculiarly indecorous, as generally to frustrate all attempts to civilize and reclaim it. 



The dog-faced baboons usually associate in vast companies. When travellers pass their haunts, 

 they run into the nearest trees, and shake the boughs with great vehemence, at the same time chattering 

 very loudly. They are so powerful as with little difficulty to overcome a man, and they frequently 

 commit such depredations in cultivated grounds, that the proprietors are compelled to have armed 

 men continually on the watch, to prevent them from plundering. Amongst the mountains near the 

 Cape of Good Hope, there are immense troops of these baboons, or of a kind called Ursine Baboons, 

 which are very nearly allied to them. When these animals discover any single person resting and 

 regaling himself in the fields, they, if possible, approach behind and snatch away whatever they can 

 lay hold of; then, running to a little distance, they will turn round, seat themselves on their posteriors, 

 and, with the most arch grimaces imaginable, will devour it before the man's face. They frequently 

 hold it out in their paws, as if to offer it back again ; and use such ridiculous gestures, that although 

 the poor fellow loses his dinner, he seldom can refrain from laughing. 



These baboons are indeed so numerous amongst the mountains, as at times to render it exceedingly 

 dangerous for travellers to pass them. They sit undismayed on the tops of the rocks, and sometimes 

 roll or throw from them stones of immense size. A gun, in these cases, is generally of indispensable 

 use, in driving them to such a distance that the stones they throw may do no material injury. In their 

 flight, even with their cubs upon their backs, they often make most astonishing leaps up perpendicular 

 rocks, and their agility is so great as to render it very difficult even to kill them with fire-arms. When 

 any person approaches their haunts, these animals set up a universal and horrible cry for a minute or 

 two, and then conceal themselves in their fastnesses, and keep a profound silence : they seldom descend 

 to the plains, except for the purpose of plundering the gardens that lie near the foot of the mountains. 

 While they are engaged in this operation, they are careful to place sentinels for the purpose of pre- 



