20 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
dead hippopotami that have remained a couple 
of hours under water after the fatal shot; these 
were scored in many places by the sharp teeth 
of crocodiles, which had vainly attempted to make 
an aperture. I have observed the large heads 
of these creatures floating upon the surface, in 
attendance upon the tempting carcase, proving 
that, should an opportunity offer, they were ready 
to snatch a mouthful of a beast, when dead, which 
they feared to attack when living. 
There is a probability that the calves of hippo¬ 
potami may occasionally be carried off by crocodiles, 
but this must remain an open question, as it cannot 
be proved by an eye-witness, and, in such a case, 
the attacking party would certainly be charged 
by the desperate mother. 
A young calf hippopotamus is delicious eating. 
The feet, when stewed, are far superior to those 
of any other animal, and the skin makes excellent 
turtle soup. The fresh hide of a full-grown hippo, 
if cut into small pieces, soaked in vinegar for an 
hour, and then boiled, so closely resembles turtle 
that it would be difficult to distinguish the difference. 
The flesh of this animal is always palatable; and 
although that of an old bull is tough, it can always 
be successfully treated, by pounding and beating 
it upon a flat stone until the fibre is totally 
destroyed. If this is mixed with chopped onions, 
pepper, and salt, and wild thyme, it will form 
either rissoles or cotelettes de veau , by a pleasing 
transformation of the old bull. 
