104 HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



41. HIPPOPOTAMUS TRIBE. 



Only one species of Hippopotamus has hitherto been 

 discovered. It is found in the rivers of Africa, from the 

 Nile as far as the Cape of Good Hope. 



Hippopotamus or River-Horse. In size nearly equal 

 to the elephant, this huge beast, which is supposed to 

 have been the Behemoth of the Sacred Writings, is, in 

 appearance, one of the most terrific of all the quadruped 

 class. His head is enormous ; and the mouth, when open, 

 exposes a monstrous cavity, furnished with teeth which 

 would appal the stoutest heart. The Hippopotamus in- 

 habits the large rivers of Africa. He walks about at 

 the bottom of the water with as much ease and security 

 as other quadrupeds do on land, rising to the sur- 

 face about once in every quarter of an hour, in order 

 to breathe. During the night he leaves his station in the 

 water, for the purpose of feeding on the vegetable pro- 

 ductions of the adjacent country, and to the distance of 

 even four or five miles from the river. But from his 

 clumsy form, and immense weight of body, his motions on 

 land, and particularly in marshy places, are slow and 

 heavy. The force and courage of this animal are said to 

 bid defiance to all his enemies ; and in the waters which 

 he inhabits, he continues to reign without a rival, and 

 without control. 



The flood disparts : behold ! in plaited mail 

 Behemoth rears his head. Glanc'd from his side, 

 The darted steel in idle shivers flies : 

 He fearless walks the plain, or seeks the hills ; 

 Where, as he crops his varied fare, the herds, 

 In widening circle round, forget their food, 

 And at the harmless stranger wondering gaze i 



