RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Translation of Brehm, Illustrirtes Thierleben, 1864 1: 79. CUL-DAR80.B39-B40. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 10.2021. RN1

NOTE: A. F. Brehm. 1864. Illustrirtes Thierleben 1: 79. Darwin cited this story in Descent 1: 75.

Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR80-86 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man (1871).


[B39]

Page 79

them with poisonous glances which kept them perfectly in order, climbed slowly up the the rock to the young one coaxed him, and began with him his retreat, passed close by the dogs who were so astonished that they let him quietly go by with charge. This courageous animal the father of the herd filled us with such respect that none of us thought of hindering him, although he was near enough to be a good mark

[B40]

Page 79.

In the bend of the next valley we met the whole herd again, no more in the heights but in the low country, just in the act of crossing the valley in order to find protection on the opposite height. A good part of the herd had already reached the other bank, but the chief part was still behind. Our dogs hesitated a moment when they saw the moving throng, then they rushed among the band barking exultingly. We now witnessed a spectacle, which is seldom seen. As soon as the dogs hurried on, the old males threw themselves from the rocks down into the valley towards them, immediately formed a circle round the hounds; roared fearfully, opened wide their mouths showing their teeth, and looked at their enemies with an expression of such rage,

[B40v]

that these such otherwise brave and warloving animals, drew back terrified and wished to find protection from us.

Of course we drove them again to the fight, and succeeded in awakening their zeal. The spectacle in the mean time had changed itself, the monkeys considering themselves victorious had gone over to the chosen bank. And when the dogs rushed to the attack again, only a few monkeys were in the depth of the valley, among them a young one of six months old. It called out aloud when it saw the dogs, fled quickly to a block of rock, and was artistically pointed out by our excellent dogs. We flattered ourselves to be able to carry off the monkey, but it happened otherwise. There came from the other bank one of the strongest male, he came proudly and with dignity, without hurrying himself, and without paying any attention to us. It went towards the dogs without fear, looked at


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 25 September, 2022