8 OUT OF DOORS. 



wood, and the chips which strew the enclosure, are 

 convincing proofs that the kindness of his attendants 

 is not wasted, and that his teeth have been rightly ex- 

 ercised. 



Near this animal is another of the same species, 

 not so large, and inhabiting quite a little enclosure 

 with a mere trough of water, transformed by the 

 united exertions of the animal and the frost into au 

 unpleasing compound of water, mud, ice, and chips. 

 The animal was mightily hard at work when I came to 

 its cage, carrying a bundle of straw in its mouth for 

 aome time, washing it well, and then rearing the bundle 

 carefully against the angle of its den, and tucking it 

 down neatly with its paws. I thought it was playing 

 at building a dam. 



It was evident that as far as the beaver was con- 

 cerned there was no cause for anxiety, and I therefore 

 passed on to see how the inhabitants of Southern Africa 

 were comporting themselves under the present circum- 

 stances. 



As usual, the hippopotamus was enjoying himself in 

 his bath, rolling about and wallowing in the familiar 

 element in a lazily contented fashion, ever and anon 

 slowly submerging the whole of his unwieldy person 

 below the surface, with that remarkable power of 

 adaptability Avhich permits such animals as the hip- 

 popotamus and elephant to rise and sink at will, 

 thus making themselves heavier or lighter than an equal 

 bulk of water without needing to expel or inspire air. 



