The hide of the beast is of remarkable strength and durability, and is
impervious to water; indeed, its toughness is, if possible, increased by
immersion. It is used for a variety of purposes, forming a covering for
our vessels, the want of which nothing could supply in our tempestuous
and rocky seas. It serves most effectually to insulate and protect our
electric telegraphs both by land and sea. It resists the most violent
usage, and no force, without the application of fire, can break it, for
it is so tough, even in an unprepared state, that it can only be severed
or penetrated by the application of fire and red-hot penetrating-irons.
The nearest approach to the hide of the hippopotamus is that of the
rhinoceros; but this is not so tough or so durable, and it is inferior
in other qualities.
The value of the hippopotamus is incalculable. Whilst alive, we can
extract from him a powerful electricity. When dead, besides the
innumerable purposes to which the hide is applied, his bones, marrow,
oil, fat, and, indeed, every part of the carcase, are of great value.
Some portions of the ugly beast are made subservient to the beautiful,
for they are used in the arts to give additional brilliancy to colours.
The bones, which are susceptible of a beautiful polish like ivory, and
are transparent, are used for articles of elegant furniture and
ornaments of varied beauty.
At some distance from Montalluyah is a large tract of country, called
"Hippopotamus Land," where there is an abundance of everything that the
beasts like or need, such as sand, moss, nut-trees, and a peculiar
plant, which is their favourite food.
Numerous herds are kept on this land, and also in enclosures, as deer
are preserved in your parks. In charge of them are numerous herdsmen or
keepers, who may be compared to so many shepherds looking after the
sheep, though the animals they tend are far more valuable.
From habit, the keepers understand all the ways and movements of their
flock.
With a view to startle the animals as little as possible, the keepers
are clothed in a dress made of hippopotamus-skin, the outside of which
is preserved in its natural state, and it is so arranged that the men
may appear like familiar figures to the mothers and the young, and not
excite their fear.
It is known in Montalluyah that wild beasts often attack man from fear,
lest he should do them harm.
The skin worn by the keeper is saturated with a solution made from a
strong-smelling herb, to which the animals have great antipathy; and
even though they may approach and smell the skin, they soon turn away,
without hurting the watcher.
The beast's antipathy to this herb was discovered by accident. It
happened that a herd of hippopotami were driven on land where it grew
abundantly; they instantly rushed furiously into the water, and, in
spite of every effort and stratagem, could not be made to return to the
shore.
Suspecting that this herb was the cause of their contumacy, we took a
young hippopotamus, and kept him without food till he became quite
ravenous. Some of the tender herbs were then brought, but he would not
touch them, and evinced other symptoms of antipathy, while he showed his
ravenousness by trying to seize the keeper. He was still kept without
food, and the herbs were left within his reach, but he would not
approach them, though, as soon as some of his usual food was brought, he
greedily devoured it.
These beasts formerly infested the rivers which run through our cities;
and a very powerful solution from the herb, which they could scent at a
considerable distance, was prepared by our chemists. We have great locks
at the entrances of our rivers. In these are concave places in which the
preparation is deposited, and the dangerous beasts are thus kept at a
great distance.
In our world the hippopotami are very fond of freshwater rivers. There
is a large stream called the Aoe, the waters of which have a peculiar
attraction for these beasts, and I have seen it covered with them for
miles.
The waters of this river are very prejudicial to man; perhaps the
qualities which make them agreeable to the beast render them
antipathetic to man's constitution.
In their native state, the beasts like the land as much as the water,
preferring it indeed during the prevalence of certain winds. I could
tell, by the direction of these, whether few or many of the animals
would come ashore. From my observatory, I have seen thousands together a
long way off, looking like countless swarms of flies, and all moving in
a compact mass, as though they were gregarious to the highest degree.
When seen from a short distance, they look like a moving lead-colour
bog. I have sent to caution the hunters, for on occasion the large herds
are dangerous.