THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



The first specimen of this uncouth and powerful 

 amphibious monster was introduced into the Gardens of 

 the Zoological Society in the year 1850. The animal was a 

 male, and in the year 1852 a female was received. At 

 the present time one of the young bred from this pair in 

 1877 is to be found in good health and fine condition 

 among the Society's collection. 



There can be no doubt as to the rapid destruction of 

 this animal. It is easily shot, and as it lives in or near 

 water it is much sought after. The flesh is considered good 

 as an article of food, the hide and tusks are of considerable 

 value, and its presence in the rivers is considered undesir- 

 able by boatmen and others. The influx of Europeans 

 and the civilization of Africa will in a few years be the 

 cause of the extermination of this leviathan species, which 

 is not likely to be domesticated, or rendered serviceable 

 to mankind, like the elephant. 



The first hippopotamus, a male, that arrived in England 

 was presented by the Viceroy of Egypt in 1850. He was 

 quite small, in fact a baby, and was received in the 

 Zoological Gardens accompanied by an Arab keeper 

 named Hamet, who remained in the Gardens about a 

 year, at the end of which time the resident keeper took 

 charge of the beast. For the first two years the animal 

 was quiet and good-tempered, allowing me and others to 



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