The Buffalo. 167 



the usual shot will be a quarter one between the ear and 

 eye or right up the nostrils. Once I killed four hippos 

 in the Zambesi River with four shots, and every bullet hit 

 the eye ranging back to the brain, and the hippos died and 

 sank at once. 



In very hot weather, and if the hippo is fat, the animal 

 may rise to the surface within an hour ; but if the water is 

 cold and the hippo is a thin beast it may remain under 

 water for quite six hours. It is simply a matter of buoyancy, 

 caused by the formation of gas in the bowels and stomach ; 

 and a fat beast produces more than a thin beast, and 

 consequently rises sooner. 



The old bulls are darker coloured than the younger 

 animals. It is a very difficult matter to get a glimpse of 

 the teeth when the hippo is in the water, unless he is 

 obliging enough to throw open his jaws. If very wary and 

 shy, they will show little more than their nose above water, 

 and sink quickly. A big bull is a very heavy animal and 

 must weigh about three tons. The skin of their backs is a 

 good inch and a half thick, and very heavy. 



When the skin is cut for whips it should be divided into 

 widths of about 2in., then slit at each end so that it may be 

 hung to a tree or platform. Stones are then tied at the 

 other end to stretch it well. If it gets hard before this 

 can be done it can be softened by putting it in water for 

 three or four days. 



BUFFALO (Bos caffer). 



NATIVE NAMES. 

 Chinyanja - - Njati. | Chingoni - - Mboo. 



Approximate w r eight, '<? ... I5oolb. 



Good average horns 3gin. outside spread. 



This is one of the finest game animals in the world, and 

 a bull buffalo not only gives the best of sport, but he also 

 grows one of the finest trophies a sportsman can procure in 

 Africa. Buffalo are usually found in herds of from six to 



