THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



1. — Female Hippopotamus and Young. 



constitutes the only safe period for their leaving- the 

 water, they are generally to be seen effecting their escape 

 from it immediately before dark, or are to be heard doing 

 so soon after the day has closed, and according to the 

 state of the surrounding country ; they then either 

 directly commence feeding, or begin a journey towards 

 localities where food may exist. When previous to 

 nightfall they may have been in pools or rivers, they 

 are generally at once enabled to commence feeding on 

 reaching the dry land ; but when they may have passed 

 the day in the sea, they require commonly to proceed 

 some distance after leaving it, before they find the grass 

 which appears congenial to their palate. It is not every 

 description of grass that hippopotami seem to relish : 

 they often pass over, in search of food, luxuriant green 

 swards, which would strongly attract many other animals 

 which feed upon grass. Besides having a peculiar relish 

 for the grasses of certain situations, they appear to have 

 a predilection for districts supporting brushwood ; and, 



