90 
HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
THE TRADE. 
EXPECTED ARRIVAL OF AN OKAPI FROM 
THE BELGIAN CONGO. 
By John D. Hamlyn. 
By this mail I am advised by the Director of 
the Zoological Gardens, Antwerp, that there has 
been actually shipped a remarkably fine specimen 
of that much debated animal — The Okapi (Okapi 
johnstoni). 
The Port of Shipment would, I presume, be 
Mataddi, the starting place of the Congo Rail- 
way. This railway runs to Lebpoldville, other- 
wise Stanley Pool, from whence the trading 
steamers run to* Stanley Falls, a thousand miles 
away. During my visit to that region some twelve 
years ago, I made diligent enjuiry for these ani- 
mals, but the Europeans — Belgian and French — 
always stated it was never seen by the White Man 
alive. 
Sir Harry Johnston in the first volume of 
"The Uganda Protectorate," p. 380, gives most 
interesting particulars of his search for the 
Okapi whilst Administrator of that vast region. 
It was entirely due to> him that the first specimen 
was sent to Europe. He writes that when his ex- 
pedition reached the Semliki River the Belgian 
Officers told him they knew the Okapi perfectly 
well, having frequently seen its dead body brought 
in by natives for eating. Provided with guides, 
his expedition entered the Congo' Forest in search 
of this mysterious animal. His quest was in vain. 
The conditions of travel were unbearable. The 
atmosphere of the forest was unbreathable with 
its reeking moisture and powerful smell of decay- 
ing matter, so much so>, that he had to return 
without his treasure. 
The Belgian Officers promised him a speci- 
men and, some months afterwards, this promise 
was kept by Mr. Karl Eriksson, _a Swedish Officer 
in the service of the Congo Free State, who ob- 
tained from a native soldier the body of a recently 
killed Okapi. 
This skin and skull wasi forwarded to the 
British Museum, who entrusted the setting up to 
Mr. Rowland Ward, of Piccadilly. I trust Sir 
Harry Johnston will soon have the pleasure of see- 
ing the Okapi in Antwerp, and find that his draw- 
ings, measurements, and descriptions to tally with 
the living specimen. I have not the slightest 
doubt that during the next few years we shall 
have arrivals of Okapi in Great Britain. The 
Director states that other animals and birds ac- 
company the Okapi, some of which he expects 
to be new specimens. 
A full description, with photograph, will be 
published in this Magazine on its safe arrival. 
FOUR BABY INDIAN ELEPHANTS. 
Herewith photograph of the animals now on 
their way to this country. 
I have many enquiries, so take this oppor- 
tunity to state that the price is £400 each, cash 
in London. First come, first served. I do not 
undertake any delivery from London. I have had 
the risk and expense, since they were purchased 
at the Indian Government sale some months ago, 
and consider that quite sufficient. Buyers must 
bring their money and their keepers with them. 
Otherwise they can stop away. 
SEA LIONS. 
Four very fine Sea Lions arrived from Cali- 
fornia, and were sold on arrival. 
The extraordinary expenses attached to these 
do not "warrant any more importations until prices 
are normal. 
PANDAS, THIBETAN CAT BEARS. 
I consider a passing reference should be made 
to the last arrival of these interesting creatures. 
It constitutes a Trade Record. 
Firstly, 13 arrived out of 15. 
Secondly, all the 13 were sold in one month. 
Captain Jack Bostock, of Wombwell's Menagerie, 
purchased the last two this week. Lieutenant 
Gerald Rattigan and Mr. Guy Faukner were the 
inly two private buyers, the others were sold to 
Belle Vue (Manchester), Zoological Gardens 
(Copenhagen), Dublin and Regents Park. From 
all the above I hear the Pandas are eating freely 
and have become remarkably tame. 
A Panda as a pet is a curious pleasing animal. 
TRADE DURING EASTER WEEK 
was phenomenal. This also deserves a note. The 
waole of the Calcutta consignment, with the ex- 
ception of ten Monkeys, three Pheasants, and a 
few small birds, were sold during that week. 
The three Lions, some Baboons and Monkeys 
were sold to Blackpool. 
Mr. Pickard, the energetic proprietor of the 
Waxworks, Glasgow, rather startled me with the 
very expeditious manner in which he transacted 
his business. 
On the morning that he received the Price 
List, Mr. Pickard telegraphed his requirements, 
seme hundred nounds worth; within three hours 
