202 THE STORY OF THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



length, very short and thick legs, and enormous heads. Indeed, the ugly 

 head of a hippopotamus appears as if it were too large and heavy for its 

 owner, since the animal may frequently be seen resting its ungainly muzzle 

 on the ground, as though to relieve the neck from the strain of its weight. 



There is, in all probability, but one species of the hippopotamus. It 

 inhabits Africa exclusively, and is found in plenty on the banks of many 

 rivers in that country, where it may be seen gamboling and snorting at all 

 times of the day. 



These animals are quiet and inoffensive while undisturbed; but, if 

 attacked, they unite to repel the invader, and I have known them to tear 

 several planks from the side of a boat, and sink it. They can remain about 

 five or six. minutes under water, and, when they emerge, they make a loud 

 and very peculiar snorting noise, which can be heard at a great distance. 



In size the full-grown hippopotamus is equal to the rhinoceros. In form 

 it is uncouth, the body being extremely large, fat, and round; the legs are 

 very short and thick; the mouth extremely wide, and teeth of vast strength 

 and size. The eyes and ears are small. The whole animal is covered with 

 short hair, thinly set, and is of a brownish color. The hide is in some parts 

 two inches thick, and not much unlike that of the hog. 



From the unwieldiness of his body, and the shortness of his legs, the 

 hippopotamus is not able to move fast upon land, and is then an extremely 

 timid animal. If pursued it takes to the water, plunges in, sinks to the 

 bottom, and there walks at ease. It cannot, however, continue long without 

 rising for air, though, if threatened with danger, it does this so cautiously 

 that the place where its nose is raised above the surface of the water is 

 scarcely perceptible. 



If wounded, the hippopotamus will rise and attack boats or canoes with 

 reat fury, and will often sink them by biting large pieces out of their sides. 

 In shallow rivers it makes deep holes in the bottom, in order to conceal its 

 great bulk. When it quits the water it usually puts out half its body at 

 once, and smells and looks round; but sometimes rushes out with great 

 impetuosity, and tramples down everything in the way. During the night 

 it leaves the rivers to feed on sugar-canes, rushes, millet or rice, of which it 

 consumes great quantities. 



The Egyptians are said to adopt a singular mode of destroying this 

 voracious animal. They mark the places it frequents, and there deposit a 

 quantity of peas. When the beast comes ashore, hungry and voracious, it 

 eagerly devours the peas, which causes a thirst. It then rushes into the 



