THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10150, 28 January 1911, Page 7

THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.

The first specimen of this uncouth and powerful amphibious monster introduced into Australia is "Lizzie," which, 'arnf-ed in Melbourne by the German liner Annaberg on the oth October. 1910, direct from Hamberg, Germany, where it .was purchased by those enterprising circus proprietors, Messrs Phil and George Wirth, who paid to Carl Hagenbeck, of the' Hamburg Zoo. £1250. The animal, which is only a little one, two years old, and weighs three tons, arrived in the best of health in two huge boxes, which were kept.on deck; one served as its bath, being lined with zinc and filled'-with'fresh, clean water daily, and tlio other served as its cage 1 , where it returned every evening into a nice dry bed of straw. These animals live in water by day and 011 dry land at night, and require great care and attention, for although not so delicate as the giraffe (the firm's previous venture), it must have a man continually in attendance, and special food and regular hours for dining. There.can be no doubt as to the rapid extermination of this animal, as it can be easily shot, and as-it lives in or near water it is much sought after. The flesh is considered good as an article of food, the hide and tusks are of considerable value, and its presence; in the rivers is considered undesirable to boetmcn and others. The influx of Europeans and the civilisation of Africa will, in a few years be the cause of the total, extermination of this leviathan species, which is not likely j to b? domesticated, or rendered serviceable to mankind, like the elephant. When these animals become excited or out of temper the strange phenomenon .of the "blood . swea.t'appcars on their skins. The pale, chocolate colour of their skins becomes densely covered with globular red spots, which look like plums in a huge plum pudding, and which leave a stain upon a handkerchief or cloth. The circus will open in Masterton 011 Saturday, February 4th, for one night only.