130 THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



respire obstreperously, spouting from their nostrils a 

 column of water to the height of five feet ; but they 

 only do this in localities where they have not been 

 disturbed on the Zambesi, for example. Elsewhere, 

 and particularly in the rivers of Londa, where active 

 warfare has taught them prudence, they only bring 

 their nostrils to the air, and breathe so gently that 

 their presence would not be suspected were it not be- 

 trayed by their footmarks on the shore. The females, 

 when they have little ones very young, come more fre- 

 quently to the surface than others, because their nurs- 

 lings cannot remain under the water so long a time as 

 adults. These little ones cling at first to the neck of 

 their mother, then on her back, and soon they follow 

 her to the pasturage. 



IV. 



ONE morning Sparrman saw a female with her calf 

 advancing towards him on land ; the calf was lame, 

 and was walking slowly. The mother received a ball 

 in her side, and threw herself into the water. The 

 young one was taken and secured ; he made a great 

 noise, somewhat like a pig when he is being killed. 

 The hunters were very fearful that at these cries tho 

 mother would come out of the river, as had happened 

 to Le Vaillant, who had shot a young hippopotamus 



