142 NATURE'S TEACHINGS. 



A figure of this trap is given in the illustration. 



If the native hunter can find a spot where the Hippopotamus 

 path passes under an overhanging branch, he makes a simple 

 but most effective trap. He takes a heavy log of wood, and 

 into one end of it he drives a spear-point. The log is then hung 

 with its point downwards to the branch, the rope which is con- 

 nected with its trigger or catch being stretched across the 

 path at a few inches from the surface of the ground, and 

 carried at right angles across the path. 



The Hippopotamus takes no notice of the cord, which is 

 usually made of one of the creepers or "bush-ropes" that are 

 so common in hot countries. No sooner, however, does its foot 

 strike the cord, than the trigger is released, and down falls the 

 heavy log, driving its iron point deeply into the back of the 

 victim. Even if the weapon were simple iron, such a wound 

 must be mortal, but, as it is almost invariably poisoned, the 

 wounded animal can scarcely travel forty or fifty yards before 

 it lies down and dies. 



One of these traps is shown in the illustration. In the fore- 

 ground is shown the Fall-trap, pointed with iron, and weighted 

 with large stones at the lower end, so as to bring it down with 

 more force, and to prevent it from falling transversely. 



The Spring-gun, once so formidable a protector of our 

 coverts, was managed in a similar manner, except that the 

 missile was discharged horizontally, and not vertically. The 

 gun, loaded with shot, was fixed some eighteen inches from the 

 ground, and a long and slight wire fastened to the trigger. 

 The opposite end of the wire was made fast to a tree or other 

 fixed object, and, as the gun was directed on the line of the 

 wire, it is evident that any one who stumbled against it would 

 discharge the gun, and receive the contents in his legs. 



In France the gun was generally loaded with little pieces of 

 bay salt, and I very much pity the unfortunate poacher who 

 came across one of these guns. The pain would prevent him 

 from escaping, and I think that the hardest-hearted of game 

 preservers could not bring himself to prosecute a man who had 

 already suffered so much. 



Of a similar character are the Spring-bows which were once 

 common in this country, and are still used in various parts of 

 Asia. A bow and arrow are substituted for firearms, and the 



