THE PHATAGIN. 267 



ovvuers of cultivated lands that happeu to be near the river in which 

 the animal has taken up his abode. 



The Hippopotamus is — as the import of its name, Kiver Horse, im- 

 plies — most aquatic in its habits. It generally prefers fresh water, but 

 is not at all averse to the sea, and will sometimes prefer salt water to 

 fresh. It is an admirable swimmer and diver, and is able to remain 

 below the surface for a very considerable length of time. In common 

 with the elephant, it possesses the power of sinking at will, which is the 

 more extraordinary when the huge size of the animal is taken into con- 

 sideration. Perhaps it may be enabled to contract itself by an exer- 

 tion of the muscles whenever it desires to sink, and to return to its 

 former dimensions when it wishes to return to the surface. It mostly 

 affects the stillest reaches of the river, as it is there less exposed to the 

 current, and not so liable to be swept down the stream while asleep. The 

 young Hippopotamus is not able to bear submersion so long as its parent, 

 and is therefore carefully brought to the surface at short intervals for 

 the purpose of breathing. During the first few months of the little an- 

 imal's life, it takes its stand on its mother's neck, and is borne by her 

 above or through the water as experience may dictate or necessity 

 require. 



The Hippopotamus is a gregarious animal, collecting in herds of 

 twenty or thirty in number, and making the air resound with its 

 resonant snorts. The snort of this creature is a most extraordinary 

 sound, and one that is well calculated to disturb the nerves of sensitive 

 persons, especially if heard unexpectedly. The animals at the Zoolog- 

 ical Gardens make the very roof ring with the strange unearthly sounds 

 which they emit. In the native state it is very difficult to ascertain 

 even approximately the number of a herd, as the animals are contin- 

 ually diving and rising, and never appear simultaneously above the 

 surface of the water. 



DASYPID.^. 



This small but important family includes the Manis, the Armadillo, 

 the Ant-eater, and the Platypus, or Duck-bill. 



The Phatagin is one of the numerous species that compose the 

 strange genus of Manis. All these animals are covered with a series 

 of horny plates, sharp-pointed and keen-edged, that lie with their points 

 directed toward the tail, and overlap each other like the tiles upon the 

 roof of a house. 



The fore-claws of the Phatagin are very large, and are employed for 

 the purpose of tearing down the nests of the termite — or white ant, as 

 it is more popularly called— so as to enable it to feed upon the inmates 

 as they run about in confusion at the destruction of their premises. 



