THE HIPPOPOTAMUS 



its hide, out of which bull- whips may be made, but also 

 for the ivory of the great canine teeth. This ivory is 

 not as much valued now as it was early in the nine- 

 teenth century, when it was in demand for the making 

 of artificial teeth. Would that modern science could 

 also find a substitute for the elephant ivory, which is 

 still used for the manufacture of biUiard-balls. 



In the year 1896 I spent some time on the shores and 

 near the inlets of the Victoria Lake. I found the natives 

 there in perfect harmony, and on a peace footing with 

 the numerous river - hogs. It was a strange sight to 

 observe the natives fishing from big floats surrounded 

 by these amphibious mammals, while crocodiles in plenty 

 w^ere sunning themselves on the neighboring sand-banks. 

 I am convinced that the disposition of the river-hog 

 is harmless and peaceful, and that the animal becomes 

 malicious and aggressive only when molested and much 

 hunted. Dr. R. Kandt made the same observations 

 regarding these animals in Central Africa. 



All stories of travellers that the hippopotami have to 

 be kept away from the camps at night by firing at them, 

 so as not to endanger the safety of the camp, are either 

 base fabrications or exaggerations. It is, of course, 

 very interesting reading to learn how the traveller had 

 to protect himself against the night attacks of these 

 monsters; it is thrilling, but untrue. Many travellers, 

 no doubt, strictly instruct their guards to fire at practi- 

 cally everything that approaches the camp, prompted 



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