The Baboon. 179 
though the length and thickness of its shaggy coat made 
it appear much larger than it really was, it was so 
strong and active that it might easily have repelled the 
attacks of several unarmed men." 
The Cape Baboon, or Ghacura (Cynocephalus porcarius), 
is as big as a large mastiff, covered with hair of an olive- 
black colour on the back, and with paler hair beneath. 
He has a canine face ; the snout resembles that of a hog, 
and the nails are flat, but sharp and very strong. It is 
said that he follows goats and .sheep in order to drink 
their milk ; he partakes of human dexterity in getting 
the kernels out of nuts, and loves to be covered with 
garments; he stands upright, and imitates with ease 
many human actions. The cunning of these animals is 
well exemplified in their mode of plunder. They form 
long lines, extending from their retreat to the object in 
view, and then pitch the produce of their theft from hand 
to hand till it is secure. 
The Mandrill is the largest kind of Baboon, being 
nearly five feet high when it stands upright. It is 
distinguished from other Baboons by having a large 
protuberance on either cheek, which is marked with 
numerous red, blue, and purple stripes. 
" Those which have been observed in a domestic state 
are generally remarked to have had a strong taste for 
fermented and spirituous liquors. A remarkably fine 
individual which was long kept at Exeter Change, and 
afterwards at the Surrey Zoological Gardens, drank his 
pot of porter daily, and evidently enjoyed it ; it was a 
most amusing sight to see him seated in his little arm- 
chair with his quart pot beside him, and smoking his 
short pipe with all the gravity and perseverance of a 
Dutchman. In a state of nature his great strength and 
malicious character render the Mandrill a truly formid- 
able animal. As they generally march in large bands 
they prove more than a match for the other inhabitants 
of the forest. The inhabitants themselves are afraid to 
pass through the woods unless in large companies and 
well armed." 
