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THE EXTINCTION OF ANIMALS 



rivers of tropical Africa ; but the sportsman who kills for 

 number is responsible for its gradual disappearance. 



Fig. 99. — The Hippopotamus. 



The gorilla has always been so rare that for years the 

 stories told regarding it were considered myths. I recall 

 spending an evening with Du Chaillu some years ago, 

 when he referred pathetically to the fact that his expe- 

 riences were not credited until other hunters had actually 

 killed gorillas. Doubtless these animals are so very few 

 in number that they will disappear during the present 

 century, when Africa will have a railroad from Cairo to 

 the Cape, and lateral branches in every direction. This 

 will mean the opening up of the country to the whites ; 

 then will come the struggle for supremacy. Indeed, this 

 has long been going on. The splendid game that a few 

 years ago swarmed everywhere and is now found in great 



