392 HOOFED ANIMALS 



an easy prey to the hunter. In the holes or hollow logs 

 into which the animals crowd backwards, one always stands 

 on guard with its head outside. If this animal be shot its 

 companions push out the dead body, for another sentinel 

 to take its place, and this operation may be repeated until 

 the herd is disposed of. 



The Peccary, like the Swine, subsists chiefly upon vegetable 

 food, but it does not refuse animal substances. In particular 

 it wages war upon lizards and serpents, which it devours 

 with the greatest avidity. 



FAMILY HIPPOPOTAMID^E. 



HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius). 



Coloured Plate XXVIII. Fig. 3. 



The Hippopotamus, or River Horse, is the sole repre- 

 sentative of the family ; it frequents the lakes and rivers of 

 Central Africa. The ancient Egyptians called the animal 

 by a name which meant 'river-swine/ which was a far 

 better title than horse, with which animal 

 the Hippopotamus has nothing in com- 

 mon. It is a shapeless, unwieldy beast, 

 attaining a length of from twelve to 

 fourteen feet ; it is four to five feet at 

 the shoulder ; and it may weigh as much 

 as four tons, thus being little inferior to 

 the elephant in bulk. The hide is dense 

 and tough, rough and warty, and naked 

 except for the short bristles at the end 

 of the tail. The male is dark brown in 

 colour ; the female is a yellower shade. 



LOWER JAW OF THE ,-,, 



HIPPOPOTAMUS. The ears are small and rounded, and, 

 with the nostrils, are capable of being 

 closed when the animal is under water. 



The head is very large and remarkable in form, the 

 ears, bulging eyes, and nostrils being all set in a line, so 

 that the huge animal can lie in the water, totally sub- 

 merged except for two or three inches, and yet retain 



