THE CHACMA. 
59 
to it on account of the slighty bear-like aspect of the head and neck. The word Chacma is a 
corrupted, or rather a contracted form of the Hottentot name T’ chakamma. The Zulu name 
for this baboon is Imfena, a much more euphonious word, without that odious click, so impos- 
sible of achievement by ordinary vocal organs. In the same dialect, one which is in almost 
every case remarkable for the rich softness of its intonation, the word “Inkau,” is the syno- 
nym for a monkey. 
This animal, when it has attained its full age, equals in size a large mastiff, or an ordinary 
sized wolf ; while, in bodily strength and prowess, it is a match for any two dogs that can be 
brought to attack it. 
Curiously enough, although it is so ruthless an antagonist, being the certain slayer of any 
hound that may come to close quarters, there is no animal which is so eagerly hunted by the 
South African hounds. Experience seems in this case to have lost its proverbially instructive 
powers ; and the cruel death of many comrades by the trenchant fangs of the Chacma, has no 
effect in deterring the ardent hound from attacking the first baboon that comes in its way. 
The owners of the hounds are more careful in this matter than are the dogs themselves, 
and evince more caution in setting their dogs on the track of a baboon than on the “spoor” of 
a leopard, or even of the regal lion himself. 
The Chacma is a most accomplished robber, executing his burglaries openly whenever he 
knows that he will meet with no formidable opposition, and having recourse to silent craft 
when there are dogs to watch for trespassers, and men with guns to shoot them. 
With such consummate art do these animals plan, and with such admirable skill do they 
carry out their raids, that even the watchful band of dogs is comparatively useless ; and the 
cunning robbers actually slip past the vigilant sentries without the stirring of a grass blade, 
or the rustling of a dried twig, to give notice to the open ears of the wakeful but beguiled 
sentries. 
In such a case, the mode to which they resort is clever in the extreme. 
They know full well, that if a number of their body were to enter the forbidden domain, 
they could hardly elude the observation or escape the hearing of dogs and men ; so they commit 
the delicate task of entering the enemy’s domains to one or two old experienced baboons. 
These take the lead, and gliding softly past the sentry dogs, find admission by some crevice, 
or by the simpler mode of climbing over the fence. 
Meanwhile, the rest of the band array themselves in a long line, leading from the scene of 
operations to some spot where they will be out of danger from pursuit. 
All being ready, the venturous leaders begin to pluck the fruit, or to bite off the stalks, 
as the case may be, and quietly hand the booty to the comrade who is nearest to them. He 
passes the fruit to a third, who again hands it to a fourth ; and thus the spoil is silently con- 
veyed to a distance, in a manner similar to that which is employed in handing water-buckets 
to a fire-engine. When a sufficient amount of plunder has been secured, the invading party 
quietly make their retreat, and revel in security on their ill-gotten goods. 
Although on service for the general weal, each individual baboon is not unmindful of his 
personal interest ; and while he hands the booty to his next neighbor, deftly slips a portion 
into his pouches, much on the same principle that an accomplished epicure, while busily carv- 
ing for the assembled guests, never loses sight of his own particular predilection, and when he 
has exhausted the contents of the dish, quietly assumes the portion which he had laid aside. 
When young, the Chacma is docile enough, and by its curious tricks affords much amuse- 
ment to its master and those around it. Hot only for amusement, however, is this animal 
detained in captivity, but its delicate natural instincts are sometimes enlisted in the service of 
its master. It displays great ability in discovering the various roots and tubers on which it 
feeds, and which can also be used as food for man ; and in digging like Caliban, with his long 
nails, pignuts. 
A more important service is often rendered by this animal than even the procuration of 
food ; and that is, the hunting for, and almost unfailing discovery of water. 
In the desert life, water loses its character of a luxury, and becomes a dread necessity ; 
its partial deficiency giving birth to fearful sufferings, while its total deprivation, even for 
