LIFE AT STELLINGEN _ 241 
to give them every opportunity of indulging the faculty. I 
have already at Stellingen séveral contrivances of this kind, 
and intend shortly to introduce a great many more. To each 
creature should be given whatever seems to suit him best. 
Sea-lions, for instance, have a natural talent for: balancing ; 
and they will derive much amusement from so simple a thing 
as a rod thrown into the water. The rhinoceros, on the other 
hand, is not qualified for performances in which delicacy and 
precision are required. Brute strength is his forte, and some 
means must be devised for providing him with an opportunity 
to exercise it. In the stable of one of our rhinoceroses, called 
Max, we have tried a contrivance which has proved very 
successful. A long pole has been inserted horizontally across 
the stable at a considerable height from the ground ; and from 
it is suspended a heavy sack of hay somewhat resembling on 
a large scale those appliances upon which American boxers are 
wont to exercise themselves. Max at once took to the idea 
of this sport. He commenced boxing furiously with the sack, 
and has never since become bored with the pastime. For 
wild cattle, too, which are more cut out for feats of strength 
than for anything requiring subtlety or precision, we provide 
a barrel which they can roll to and fro or send hurtling 
into the air with their horns. ‘“Panem et Circenses” is the 
motto to be observed, if the population is to be kept ina 
wholesome frame of mind. 
Besides feeding and amusements, there is another factor 
of great importance in the lives of the animals, vzz., the loves 
and friendships which they form among one another. If they 
could talk, what endless gossip there would be in our little 
community! It would doubtless turn to a great extent upon 
the mésalliances which take place. For among beasts, as 
among men, mésalliances frequently occur. What can be 
more grotesque, what can form a more appropriate subject 
for gossip, than an affection between a great cow-elephant and 
a male kangaroo? Yet this actually did take place. Every 
day the two animals would play together, the elephant caress- 
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