154 MAMMALIA. 



FAMILY II. 



PACHYDERMATA ORDINARIA, 



Or the ordinary Pachydermata, which have either four, or three, or two 

 toes. 



Those in which the toes make even numbers have feet somewhat cleft, 

 and approximate to the Rurainantia in many respects by the skeleton, and 

 even by the complication of the stomach. They are usually divided into 

 two genera. 



Hippopotamus, Lin. 



Four nearly equal toes, terminated by little hoofs to each foot ; six 

 grinders throughout, of which the three anterior are conical ; the three 

 posterior bristled with two pairs of points, which, when worn, assume a 

 trefoil shape; four incisors to each jaw, the superior of which are short, 

 conical, and recurved, the inferior cylindrical, long, pointed, and sloping 

 forwards; a canine tooth on each side above and below, the superior 

 straight, and the inferior very large and curved, the two wearing each other 

 by constant attrition. 



These animals have a very massive body without hairs ; very short 

 legs ; the belly reaching nearly to the ground ; an enormous head, termi- 

 nated by a large inflated muzzle, which incloses the apparatus of their 

 large front teeth ; the tail short; the ears and eyes small. Their sto- 

 mach is divided into several sacs. They live in rivers, upon roots and 

 other vegetable substances, and exhibit much ferocity and stupidity. One 

 species only is known. 



H. amphibius, L. ; Buff. Supp. III. 4 and 5. (The Hippopota- 

 mus). Now confined to the rivers of the middle and south of Africa. 

 It formerly found its way into Egypt by the Nile, but has long dis- 

 appeared from that country (a). 



The bones of a species of Hippopotamus very similar to that of 

 Africa, and those of two or three other successively smaller ones, 

 have been found in Europe. See my Rech. sur les Oss. Foss. torn. 1. 



Sus, Lin. 



The Pigs, or Hogs, have, on all their feet, two large middle toes armed 

 with strong hoofs, and two much shorter lateral ones that hardly reach the 

 ground; there is a variable number of incisors, the inferior of which al- 

 ways slant forwards ; the canines project from the mouth, and curve up- 



E^° (a) The hippopotami were found to be quite formidable, as enemies, in the ri- 

 vers of South Africa, by the late British expedition, which sailed under the command 

 of Captain Owen. These animals cast their young in November, and at certain pe- 

 riods of their growth are used as food by the Indians. — Eng. Ed. 



