HIPPOPOTAMUS. 241 



that is full-grown almost reaches the ground, and some- 

 times measures five feet across ; his tail is very short 

 and insignificant ; and his eyes and ears are very small. 

 They live together in small numbers, feed chiefly on 

 grass and aquatic plants, and come forth at night. Each 

 foot has four toes, and each toe a separate hoof. The 

 nostrils open on the top of the muzzle. Their flesh is 

 thought to be very good to eat, and to resemble pork. 

 A thick layer of fat lies just under the skin, which the 

 Africans look upon as a great delicacy for the table. 

 The male is the largest ; and itwo species are said to exist. 

 The exploits of Mr. Gordon Gumming give us a lively 

 picture of their habits ; but there is nothing iii his work 

 which affords the slightest interest in their mental facul- 

 ties. The following account from the pen of Captain 

 Owen, who explored so large a portion of the African 

 shores, is the only instance I have met with which wears 

 the semblance of almost unprovoked anger on the part 

 of a hippopotamus : 'While examining a branch of the 

 Temby river, in Delagoa Bay, a violent shock was sud- 

 denly felt from underneath the boat, and in another 

 moment a monstrous hippopotamus reared itself up 

 from the water, and in a most ferocious and menacing 

 attitude rushed open-mouthed at the boat. With one 

 grasp of its tremendous jaws it seized and tore seven 

 planks from her side. The creature disappeared for a 

 few seconds, and then rose again, apparently intending 

 to repeat the attack, but was fortunately deterred by 

 the contents of a musket discharged in its face. The 

 boat rapidly filled ; but as she was not more than an 

 oar's length from the shore, they (the crew) succeeded 

 in reaching it before she sank. The keel in all proba- 

 bility had touched the back of the animal, which irri- 

 Q 



