1872.] MR. A. D. BARTLETT ON THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 819 



November 19, 1872. 



The Viscount Walden, F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. Sclater called the attention of the Meeting to the two 

 Livingstone expeditions into Inner Africa now in preparation, and 

 urged the importance of endeavouring to have zoological collections 

 made in the countries about to be visited by them. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. Additional Notes on the Breeding of the Hippopotamus 

 in the Society's Gardens. By A. D. Bartlett, Super- 

 intendent of the Gardens. 



[Received November 17, 187-.] 



Since the publication of my notes in the ' Proceedings' of the Society 

 for 1871 (p. 255 et seqq.) two opportunities have been afforded me of 

 making observations upon the breeding of the Hippopotamus, aud I 

 have some additional remarks to offer upon this subject. 



The subjoined table gives the dates of the last copulation which 

 took place in each case before the birth of a young one in the 

 Society's Gardens, together with the dates of birth, showing the 

 period of gestation and the number of days. In these some differences 

 appear to have occurred ; but I believe the dates to be correct, and 

 to have been carefully noted by the keepers. It is, however, possible 

 that trifling errors may have been made. 



About 12 o'clock a.m. on the 4th of November 1872, I observed 

 that the female Hippopotamus was showing symptoms of displeasure 

 at being looked at ; and as many of the visitors were expecting she 

 was about to bring forth her young one, they lingered longer in 

 front of her den than usual, and this watchfulness on their part 

 annoyed her. Seeing this, I at once closed the house, and gave 

 instructions not to allow any one to go near her, or to be seen by 

 her ; in fact, the most perfect quietness was immediately put in full 

 force : and I have no doubt the easy delivery of the young one was 

 due principally to the very strict and faithful manner in which the 

 two keepers (Prescot and Thomson) carried out my wishes ; for 

 soon after the house was closed she settled down, and remained 

 undisturbed until about 7 o'clock the next morning. At fifteen 

 minutes past seven the young one was born ; and the condition of the 

 female upon this occasion differed greatly from her former state, 

 described in the notes before referred to. 



She was perfectly quiet ; and the young one walked about soon 



