266 
FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF AFRICA. 
that is because he is a righteous beast, while the ape has been trans¬ 
formed by the wrath of Allah into an abomination to all men; a 
child of the unrighteous one, just as the hippopotamus is the for¬ 
bidding image of the loathsome sorcerer. 
But for the impartial spectator it is an attractive and inter¬ 
esting spectacle to watch a band of monkeys setting off upon their 
predatory expeditions. The audacity they displayed used to delight 
me as much as it enraged the natives. Under the leadership of the 
old veteran father of the tribe they approach the corn fields, the 
females carrying their young before them, instead of on their backs; 
the young ones, to make themselves perfectly secure, twist their 
short tails round the tail of their lady mother. At first they 
approached with great circumspection, traveling generally from one 
tree top to another. 
A VENERABLE SIMIAN LEADER. 
The old leader goes first, the others following exactly in his 
steps, not only seizing the same trees, but the same portion of the 
same branch. From time to time the leader climbs the highest tree, 
and surveys the country with careful glances; if his examination is 
satisfactory, the good news is announced to his followers by a low 
gurgling sound; if not, the usual warning is given. When close to 
the field, the band descends the tree, and hastens in vigorous leaps 
towards its paradise, and then the work begins with indescribable 
rapidity. First of all they lay in a stock. Quickly are the clusters 
of maize and ears of durrah torn down and stuffed into the mouth, 
until the cheeks are distended to the uttermost, and not until these 
storehouses are full do the marauders allow themselves any relaxa¬ 
tion. They then begin to be more particular and dainty in the 
choice of their food. All the ears and clusters are carefully sniffed 
and examined after being broken off; and if, as is often the case, 
they do not come up to the required standard, they are at once 
thrown away. It may be safely said that of nine clusters which are 
gathered, only one is eaten; and generally the epicures only take a 
grain or two out of each ear, and then throw the rest away. 
All the members of the band place implicit confidence in the 
