The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-07-29
BABOON WARFARE.
Astonishing Military 0rganiza tion
of African Apes.
The Simians Are Well Organized
for Plunder or Defence.

cent exploration oil their 1hNorile
haunts, due to the troubles in Central
Africa and Abyssinia. The English,
German and Itelian travellers and
emssnries who have been employed
| IN various missions on the fringes OF
the Abyssinian plateau have corro-
borated many stories which have
hitherto been suspected to be exag-
gerations of fact. 1t now appears that
their methods and discipline are far
| in advance of those Of any other ver-
tebrate animals, and not inferior to
those of some of the native tribes
themselves.
The different species of bnboons,
which are found commonly over the
whole African continent, are nll by
nature dwellers in the open country.
They find their food on the ground,
and, whether this be insects or vcge-
tables, it is usually in places which
afford little shelter or protection.
Though strong aud well armed with
teeth, they are slow animals, with lit
tie of the usual monkey agility when
on the ground, and not particularly
active even when climbing among
rocks. In the rocky "kopies" OF the
South or the cliffs and river sides OF
Abyssinia, and the Nile tributaries,
they are safe enough. But they often
abandon these to invade the low coun-
try. When on expeditions of this
kind they often leave their stronghold
for days together, and the means OF
Joint defence from enemies in the open
country are then carefully organized.
Their natural enemies when thus ex-
posed are the leopard, the lion, and,
in South Africi, the Cape wild dogs.
To the attack of the leopard they OPP
pose numbers and discipline. No en-
counter between the balloons and wild
dogs has been witnessed and described,
but their defensive operations against
domesticated dogs were seen and re-
corded by the German naturalist,
Brehm. The following account ap-
pears in the translation of his travels
by Mrs. Thompson, just publis he'd:
The baboons were on fat ground,
crossing valley, when the travellers
dogs, Arab greyhounds, accustomed
to fight sue ,essfully with hyenas and
other beasts OF prey, rushed toward
the balloons. Only the females took
to flight; the males, on the contrary,
turned to fnce the dogs, growled, beat
the ground with their hands, opened
their mouths wide and showed their
glittering teeth, and looked at their
adversaries so furiously and malicious
ly that the hounds usually bold and
battle hardened shrank back" By
the time the dogs we're encouraged
to renew the attack, the whole herd
had made their way, covered by the
rearguard, to the rocks, except a six
months old monkey, which was left
behind. The little monkey sat on
low rock, surrounded by the dogs, but
was rescued by an old baboon, who
stepped down from the cliff near,
advanced toward the dogs, kept
them in check by gestures and
menacing sounds, picked up the baby
monkey and carried it to the cliff,
where the dense crowd of monkeys,
shouting their battle.cry, were watch
ing his heroism. The march of the
balloons is not n mere expedition of
the predatory members of the COM
munity. The whole nation "treck"
together, and make war on the culti-
waited ground in common. Their COM
munities are numerous enough to
reproduce in miniature the move-
ments OF troops. The tribe often
numbers from $50 to 800 individuals.
OF these the females and young are
placed in the centre when on the
march, while the old maless march in
front and close the rear. Other males
scout upon the fanks. 1t has been
noticed that these remain on guard,
and do not feed during the whole time
that the rest are gathering provender.
If disturbed by men, the old males
form rear guard and retire without
any haste. allowing the females and
young to go on ahead carrying the
plunder. Their retreat is, as a rule,
deliberate and orderly, the balloons
being quite ready to do battle with
any animal except man on the plains,