ZOOLOGY. 323 



LIBERIAN HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



SOME additional observations on a living species of hippopotamus of 

 Western Africa, whose existence was first announced by Dr. George 

 Morton, in 1844, have recently been published. 



In reference to nomenclature Dr. Morton remarks, " I first an- 

 nounced tin's animal by the name of Hippopotamus minor, not know- 

 ing, at the time, that Cuvier had already given this specific designation 

 to a fossil species. It therefore became necessary to change it, which 

 I do, by placing this species in the zoological system by the name of 

 Hippopotamus (Tetraprolodon) Liberiensis, the little or Liberian 

 hippopotamus." 



These animals, which are probably the smallest of the hippopota- 

 mi, vary in w r eight from four hundred to seven hundred pounds, 

 rarely, however, attaining this maximum. They abound in the River 

 St. Pauls, a stream that rises in the mountains of Guinea, and passing 

 through the Dey country and Liberia, empties into the Atlantic, to 

 the north of Cape Mesurado. They are slow and heavy in their mo- 

 tions, yet will sometimes stray two or three miles from the river, in 

 which situation they are killed by the natives. They are extremely 

 tenacious of life, and almost invulnerable, excepting when shot or 

 otherwise wounded in the heart. When injured they become irri- 

 table and dangerous, but are said by the natives never to attack them, 

 when in their canoes. The negroes are very fond of their flesh, 

 which seems to be intermediate between beef and veal. The great 

 bulk of the hippopotamus, as well as his amphibious habits, have 

 hitherto prevented his transportation for exhibition ; but this smaller 

 species is so moderate in bulk, even in adult age, as to render his 

 capture and transportation of comparatively easy accomplishment, and 

 by a studious adaptation of his food, and attention to his aquatic 

 habits, we can see no great difficulty in introducing the Liberian hippo- 

 potamus into the menageries of Europe and America. 



MARINE VERMIN. 



A SKELETON of a marine bird was recently presented to the Boston 

 Natural History Society, which was said to have been prepared in the 

 short space of two hours, by exposure to the attacks of vermin in- 

 habiting the Banks of Newfoundland. These creatures live at or near 

 the bottom, and are said to be very destructive to the cod-fish frequent- 

 ing the Banks. The bird was lowered to the bottom by means of a 

 loaded line, and drawn up in two hours a perfect, ligainentary skeleton, 

 the flesh having been entirely consumed. 



LAZY BEAVERS. 



IT is a curious fact, that among the beavers there are some that 

 are lazy, and will not work at all, either to assist in building lodges or 

 dams, or to cut down wood for winter stock. The industrious ones 

 beat these idle fellows, and drive them away ; sometimes cutting off a 



