In 1853 a young female, Adhela, was obtained from the same district, and in the spring of 1871 the first calf was born, and a second in January, 1872, both of which were lost shortly after their birth, in spite of every care and precaution. The third was born on the 5th of November, 1872, and called “Guy Fawkes,” and has been successfully reared. Little Guy Fawkes sucked freely shortly after its birth, and has continued to thrive up to the present time, now rivalling her mother in size. When she chooses to disport herself in her huge tank, her vast bulk and enormous gape combine to keep the crowd of onlookers in a proper state of subjection not unmixed with awe.

Hippopotami roam together in herds, and where they have not been disturbed come fearlessly to the top of the water, often lazily basking on the surface, and on the banks; but in places where they have been hunted and shot at they become very wary, and content themselves by just showing their noses among weeds, and sometimes they are so carefully concealed that but for their footprints on the bank of the river their presence would be unsuspected. Cumming, in his African hunting experiences, gives a description of seeing an entire colony of these animals on the banks of the Limpopo. He says:—“Presently in a broad and deeply shaded pool of the river we heard the Sea Cows bellowing, and on approaching somewhat nearer beheld a wonderful and interesting sight. On a sandy promontory of the island stood about thirty cows and calves, whilst in the pool opposite and a little below them stood about twenty more Sea Cows, with their heads and backs above water. About fifty yards farther down the river, again showing out their heads, were eight or ten immense fellows, which I think were all bulls, and about a hundred yards below these, in the middle of the stream, stood another herd of eight or ten cows with calves, and two large bulls. The Sea Cows lay close together like Pigs, and as they sprawl in the mire have not the least objection to their neighbours pillowing their heads on their backs and sides.”

COMMON HIPPOPOTAMUS.

HIPPOPOTAMUS.
(From the Living Specimen in the Zoological Gardens, London.)

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Livingstone also gives a description of seeing a herd of Hippopotami as follows:—“On a shallow sand bank, under a dyke crossing the River Zambesi near the mouth of the Sinjere, lay a herd of Hippopotami in fancied security. The young ones were playing with each other like young puppies, climbing on the backs of their dams, trying to take hold of one another by the jaws, and tumbling over into the water. Mbia, one of the Makotols, waded across to within a dozen yards of the drowsy beasts, and shot the father of the herd, who being very fat soon floated, and was secured at the village below. The men then gorged themselves with meat for two days, and cut large quantities into long narrow strips, which they half dried and half roasted on wooden frames over the fire.”

HUNTING HIPPOPOTAMI WITH THE HARPOON.