dopted when we wish to take one of the
hippopotami from the herd, I should first premise that these beasts have
the sense of hearing, acute to the highest degree, and could note even
the fall of a pin. As, therefore, it is useless to try to approach them
by stealth, the keepers approach them openly.

These men are, however, clothed with a dress which covers every part of
the body, head and extremities indeed even the face, with the exception
of the eyes, but which is made of a very pliable material, so that the
wearer has free use of his body and limbs. It is saturated with the
antipathetic solution, of which I have spoken above.

There is a three-cornered nut called the "lava-nut," of which the
animals are very fond, and they will go a long distance in search of it.
The keepers are provided with a quantity of these nuts, and the man with
whom the animals are most familiar throws a few to the one selected. As
soon as the animal has tasted them, he advances a few paces. The keeper,
throwing more nuts, retires a few paces; and as he continues throwing,
the animal advances, the keeper receding and throwing the nuts until he
has attracted the beast for some distance from the herd.

Near the keeper is a party of men furnished with a low caravan, who,
while the animal is engaged eating the nuts, throw large nets over him.
He struggles violently--it is, indeed, fearful to behold him; but, in
the meanwhile, a very skilful man approaches, and throws over his head a
cap or covering of a particular kind of wool, which for the time
completely blinds him. So utterly is he cowed, that in a few minutes he
is quite quiet, and it is surprising to see the difference that a simple
contrivance has effected. The caravan immediately approaches with levers
attached to it, by the aid of which the animal is easily put on the
carriage and carried off to the place of his destination.

It is surprising to see the immediate effect on the animal when the cap
is taken off. He is for the time quite docile, and as easily managed as
a child.

An animal thus captured is never so wild and vicious as when with the
herd, and often becomes comparatively tame.

On the other hand, the animal increases in cunning, and if again set at
liberty, he still remembers how he was once served, and utterly
disregards the nuts with which he may be tempted.

In our world a plant grows wild, which is much liked by the
hippopotamus. It forms a bulb which contains a so