96 
VERTEBRATA. 
COMMON BABOON AND MONKEY. 
development, it becomes sulky, malicious, and morose. It is not found either in Egypt oi- JSTubia, 
though its figure is often sculptured on the ancient monuments of both these countries. We 
learn from Salt and Pearce that they are extremely common upon the high lands of the Abys- 
sinian province of Tigre. They are usually seen in troops composed of ten or twelve adult males, 
and about tvi^enty adult females ; the remainder of the band is made up of the young of the four 
or five preceding years. When seen at a distance, approaching a small stream for the purpose of 
quenching their thirst, they bear a close resemblance to a flock of wild hogs. It has been observed 
that the young ones always lead the van, and the old males bring up the rear, probably for the 
purpose of having the whole family continually under their immediate observation. 
The name of this species in the ancient Ethiopic or Geez, the learned language of the Abyssin- 
lans, is Tot or Tota. Its figure in a sitting posture is common upon the ancient monuments of 
Egypt and Nubia: small metal images of it have been dug up among the ruins of Memphis and 
Hermopolis, and mummies containing the embalmed body of the animal are still found among the 
catacombs. It is believed to be the emblem of the second Hermes, or Toth, the deified inventor 
of letters and the art of writino-. 
The Common- Baboon, C. papio^ is of a uniform yellowish-brown color, slightly shaded with 
sandy or light red upon the head, shoulders, body, and extremities; the whiskers alone are of a 
light fawn-color; the face, ears, and hands are naked and entirely black, the upper eyelids white, 
and also naked, and the tail about half the length of the body. 
This species inhabits the coast of Guinea, and is that most commonly seen about the streets, and 
in menageries and museums. In youth it is gentle, curious, gluttonous, and incessantly in motion, 
smacking its lips quickly, and chattering when it wishes to beg contributions from its visitors, and 
screaming loudly when refused or tantalized. As it grows older, however, it ceases to be familiar, 
and assumes the morose look and repulsive manners which characterize the baboons in general. 
The specimen observed by BufFon was full grown, and exhibited all the ferocity of disposition 
and intractability of nature common to the rest of its kind. " It was not," says he, " altogether 
hideous, and yet it excited horror. It appeared to be continually in a state of savage and rest- 
less ferocity, grinding its teeth, as if agitated by unprovoked fury. It was obhged to be kept 
shut up in an iron cage, of which it shook the bars so powerfully with its hands as to inspire 
the spectators with apprehension. It was a stout-built animal, whose nervous limbs and com- 
pressed form indicated great force and agility; and though the length and thickness of its shaggy 
coat made it appear to be much larger than it was in reality, it was nevertheless so strong and 
active that it might have readily worsted the attacks of several unarmed men." 
It would appear that individuals of this species are sometimes of a cheerful temper. In the 
British Museum, there is a stuff'ed specimen of a baboon that formerly flourished in the Exeter 
Change Menagerie, under the title of "Happy Jerry." He was, in fact, one of the celebrities of 
