HIPPOPOTAMUS 



149 



usual ; it will even lie on the bottom of a river-bed, 

 coming up now and then to breathe. 



Accidents have occurred to boating parties in rivers 

 frequented by Hippo, on account of these animals 

 upsetting the boats. 



The flesh is said to be good eating. The fat is much 

 prized by the natives. The whips or sjamboks valued so 



Fig. 72. — Young Hippopotamus. 



much in South Africa are made from the thick hides of 

 the Hippo or Khinoceros. 



There is a bull in the Pretoria Zoo which was presented 

 by the late Chief Lewanika of Barotseland to Lord 

 Selbourne — then Governor-General of South Africa — and 

 by His Excellency to the Gardens in 1907. This animal 

 has periodical fits of rage, not unlike the " must " period 

 of a bull elephant, when he attacks the door of his 

 house, and the iron rails of his camp until his mouth is 

 dripping with blood. He is, however, respectfully docile 



