198 COMMON BRITJSH ANIMALS 



are on the surface of the head, and their owner can 

 close or open them at will, which enables him to 

 remain some time under water. It grows to a 

 length of about 14 feet, and is of enormous strength, 

 capable of capsizing boats. He is an expert swimmer, 

 and can also walk rapidly along the bottom of the 

 river. The hippopotamus is subject to a '^ bloody 

 sweat." A red fluid containing crystals and cor- 

 puscles is exuded from his skin, but though having 

 a similar appearance, the fluid has really nothing to 

 do with the blood (Beddard). 



The remains of the hippopotamus are found in 

 considerable numbers in the Thames Valley and as 

 far north as Yorkshire, showing that he inhabited 

 this country probably in the warm interval between 

 the two ice ages. 



Pigs. 



Once the most common amongst our domestic 

 animals, the pig, is now fast becoming quite scarce 

 owing to the restrictions placed upon those who would 

 keep them, by the sanitary and agricultural authorities. 

 Thus, the careless and slothful and ignorant are driving 

 out of existence an animal, which has been domesticated 

 in England for more than a thousand years. But a 

 few years ago every householder and many cottagers 

 cured their hams and bacon for the winter; now 

 bacon is so dear as to be regarded a luxury. Any 

 place, any food was considered good enough for a 

 pig, but, like all other animals, he thrives best when 

 living on good food and in cleanly surroundings. His 



