THE IDEAL BUFFALO OF THE POSTERS.
There are occasional examples recorded of the taming of wolves and hyenas. A story, we believe well authenticated, of a pet wolf, is related by M. Frederick Cuvier, and shows that even animals not usually considered affectionate, are not without gratitude to their benefactors, nor insensible of kind treatment. The wolf, who is the hero of this story, had been brought up like a dog, and became familiar with every one he was in the habit of seeing. He would follow his master, seemed to suffer from his absence, evinced entire submission, and differed not in manners from the tamest domestic dog. The master being obliged to travel, made a present of him to the Royal Menagerie at Paris. Here, shut up in his compartment, the animal remained for several weeks moody and discontented, and almost without eating. He gradually however, recovered, attached himself to his keeper, and seemed to have forgotten all his old affection. His master returned after an absence of eighteen months. At the very first word which he pronounced, the wolf, who did not see him in the crowd, instantly recognized him, and testified his joy by his antics and his cries. Being set at liberty, he overwhelmed his old friend with caresses, just as the most attached dog would have done after a separation of a few days. Unhappily, his master was obliged to leave him a second time, and this absence was again to the poor wolf the cause of profound regret, but time allayed his grief. Three years elapsed, and the wolf was living very comfortably with a young dog that had been given him as a companion. After this space of time, sufficient to make any dog forget his master, the gentleman returned again. It was evening, and all was shut up, and the eyes of the animal could be of no use to him, but the voice of his beloved master was not yet effaced from his memory; the moment he heard it he knew it, and answered by cries expressive of the most impatient desire, and on the obstacle which separated them being removed, his cries redoubled. The animal rushed forward, placed his fore feet on the shoulders of his friend, licked every part of his face, and threatened with his teeth those very keepers to whom he had so recently testified the warmest affection.
THE REAL BUFFALO OF THE RING.
A French nobleman was some years ago famous for having several tame wolves; his method of taming being to confine each animal in a kennel by himself until he became docile. The wolves were never struck, but if when, little by little, they had become accustomed to the tamer’s presence, they made any attempt to bite, they were seized by the neck and a rough stick or knotty cane rubbed hard over their gums, which gave them a great disinclination to ever again use their teeth in an offensive manner.
The rhinoceros is frequently tamed in the east, the plan being to confine the animal in a pen built around a small pond of water, and to keep him without food until reduced by hunger. Food is eventually supplied, and withheld again whenever any symptoms of fierceness are manifested. Those in captivity have been captured, in most cases, when young.
As early as 1685 a live specimen was carried to England from the East Indies, while a few years later another was exhibited extensively in Europe. Since then others of the species have been brought to Europe and America. Their behavior is very like a huge docile pig, and they obey some simple orders of their keepers, such as walking around the room on command and exhibiting themselves to spectators, opening and shutting their mouths as directed, and the like.
One of these animals, still young, habitually indicated a very mild disposition, being very obedient to his keeper, whose caresses he received with much satisfaction. He was subject, however, to violent fits of passion, and at such times it was dangerous to approach him. He then made prodigious efforts to break his chains and escape from his bondage; but the offer of bread and fruits seldom failed to soothe his most terrible convulsions.
Those persons found the most favor with him who ministered the most to his gormandizing appetites; and, when they appeared, he exhibited his satisfaction by opening his mouth and extending to them his long upper lip. The narrow limits of the cage in which he was shut up did not allow him to manifest much intelligence. The object of the keeper was to make him forget his strength, or forego its exercise; hence, nothing calculated to awaken his consciousness of power was required of him. To open his mouth, to move his head to the right or left, or to lift his leg were the usual acts by which he was required to testify his obedience. His strength, and the fear that in one of his passions he might break his cage, insured to him the most mild and soothing treatment, and he was scrupulously rewarded for the least thing he was required to do. The distinction he made of persons, and the great attention he paid to everything which passed around, demonstrated that, in more favorable circumstances, his intelligence might have been more strikingly manifested.
Akin to the rhinoceros is the hippopotamus, a very fine specimen of which was exhibited in this country some years since, and realized for his Arab keeper quite a handsome sum, the Arab bringing him here on speculation and hiring him out to museum and circus managers. Between Hamet, the keeper, and Obaysch, the hippopotamus, considerable affection existed, probably even more on the animal’s part than on the man’s. Side by side they slept in Cairo, and during the first week of their voyage to Southampton. But as the weather grew warmer, and Obaysch larger and larger—he was quite young when captured and grew with the rapidity of all members of the swinish race—Hamet had a hammock slung from the beams immediately over the place where he had been accustomed to sleep; just over, in fact, his side of the bed, his position being raised some two or three feet. Assuring Obaysch, not only by words but by extending one arm over the side so as to touch him, Hamet got into his hammock and fell asleep, when he was suddenly awakened by a jerk and a hoist, only to find himself close by the side of his “compagnon du voyage.” Another experiment at separate sleeping was attended by the same successful movements on the part of Obaysch, and, till they arrived at Southampton, Hamet desisted from any farther trial, as he avoided in all ways any irritation of the animal. On the voyage to this country he slept with his huge charge, who at sea especially, seemed more content, and to feel safer, when his keeper was at his side.