Volume 2, Plate XVII / Mammalia (Mammals)

Mandril or Rib-Nose Baboon

Papio mormon

The fiercest and most powerful of its race, this baboon of the Guinea Coast displays in the adult male rich blue and purple shades upon the ridged muzzle and bright red nose and lips, though young animals are a uniform tawny-green. Possessed of enormous strength that two men could scarcely overcome, it feeds chiefly on cooked vegetables; one famous tame specimen was taught to drink gin and water and smoke tobacco with great gravity.