THE BIG GAME OF AFRICA 



early Dutch settlers called him " lake cow," the Arabs 

 sometimes '' lake buffalo." The ancient Egyptians, how- 

 ever, used the name " river hog " for the huge mammal, 

 which from a zoological point of view is the most befitting 

 name of all, for in his habits and general appearance he 

 is more like the pig than any other existing animal. The 

 meat of the hippo, and the great amount of fat, which 

 he generally carries under his thick skin, are also very 

 much like that of the pig. 



The hippopotamus is next to the elephant the " bulki- 

 est " land animal in existence. It is not unusual for a full- 

 grown hippo to measure anywhere from twelve to thirteen 

 feet in length, the line taken from the tip of the nose to the 

 root of the short, stiff, and flattened tail. Sir Samuel 

 Baker once killed an old bull which measured fourteen 

 feet three inches, including a tail of nine inches in length. 

 A large hippo, which died a few years ago in the London 

 Zoological Garden, was over twelve feet in length, and 

 weighed somewhat more than four tons. The color of the 

 skin varies between almost black to dark brown, dark slate, 

 pinkish brown on the belly, and sometimes almost light 

 gray, which latter color has occasioned some naturalists 

 to give him the name of " white hippo." 



Of all animals none is perhaps more hideous-looking 

 than the clumsy hippo, with his enormous mouth, mam- 

 moth lips, big tusks, disproportionately small eyes and ears, 

 ponderous piglike body, and short legs ! His heavy, wob- 

 bling gait, when on land, he can suddenly change into a 

 similar trot when frightened, and I have heard hunters 

 say, although it seems almost incredible, that a hippo is 

 even able to gallop, when hotly pursued and is trying to 



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