The Descent of Man

were employed as implements; but they are
likewise used as weapons. Brehm (40. 'Thierleben,'
B. i. s. 79, 82.) states, on the authority of
the well-known traveller Schimper, that in
Abyssinia when the baboons belonging to one
species (C. gelada) descend in troops from the
mountains to plunder the fields, they sometimes
encounter troops of another species (C.
hamadryas), and then a fight ensues. The Geladas
roll down great stones, which the Hamadryas
try to avoid, and then both species, making
a great uproar, rush furiously against each
other. Brehm, when accompanying the Duke of
Coburg-Gotha, aided in an attack with firearms
on a troop of baboons in the pass of Mensa
in Abyssinia. The baboons in return rolled so
many stones down the mountain, some as large
as a man's head, that the attackers had to beat a
hasty retreat; and the pass was actually closed
for a time against the caravan. It deserves notice
that these baboons thus acted in concert.
Mr. Wallace (41. 'The Malay Archipelago,' vol.