The GREAT BABOON.
Before we enter upon the deſcription of this creature, it may not be amiſs juſt to premiſe, that Naturaliſts have divided the Monkey tribe into three claſſes; viz. Apes, Baboons, and Monkeys.
Baboons are characteriſed by having ſhort tails, canine teeth, and the lower part of the face prominent or truncated, like the ſnout of ſwine: In general, they, with the reſt of the Monkey kind, go upon all fours; though ſometimes, and the Ape more frequently than the Baboon, or Monkey, go erect: the poſition deſigned by Nature was certainly prone, and when in their wild ſtate, and uneducated, this is evidently their manner of walking; elſe would the fore feet or paws have more ſoftneſs of ſkin, and leſs calloſity than they really have; in this particular the fore feet differing nothing from the hinder ones, which muſt neceſſarily be conſtantly trodden on: the fingers of the feet are armed with long ſharp claws or nails.
Of Baboons it may, in general, be ſaid, they are fierce and ferocious, of great bodily ſtrength, perverſe habits, and very libidinous: extraordinary ſtories are related of their partiality to, and anxiety for, the females of the human race.
The one here repreſented is called the Great Baboon, and was in height about 5 feet; from the head to the rump was about 2 feet 9 inches; the length of the arms about 1 foot 9 inches; general colour a greeniſh black, mixed with brown; acroſs the hams a patch of purple; a bright vermilion ſtripe up the noſe to the eyes; the cheeks a dark violet blue, with horizontal ſtripes of white; the eyes ſmall, and approach very cloſe to each other; long hair on the head and ſhoulders in conſiderable quantity, a little brighter than the reſt of the body. The inner part of the cheeks, that is, the ſpace between the cheek and the teeth, is very capacious, and ſerves this ſpecies of animal as a pouch, in which to ſtow proviſions, &c. Feeds on roots, fruits and herbs, naturally is not carnivorous, eagerly fond of ſpirituous liquors and wine—inhabits the woods of the hotter parts of Africa.
