268 ZOOLOGY. 



Asiatic; and 2, tin- African. Tlh- first is known by its 

 elongated liead, concave forehead, and comparatively small 

 cars; four nails on the hinder Iocs; the molar teeth al><> 

 ]>iv>ent parallel ridge<. nearly equidistant. The tusks oi'ten 

 remain short. '2. The African specie-, remarkable for the 

 si/e of the tusks, development of the external ears, three 

 loose nails on the hinder toes, shorter head, and convex 

 Ion-head. The surface of the molar teeth when in use pre- 

 sents rhomboidal figures, by which it mny be at once distin- 

 guished from the Indian species. The female has tusks 

 nearly as large as the male. It is a more active and ferocious 

 animal than the Asiatic, and is found from Senegal to the 

 Cape of Good Hope. 



Ivory, properly so called, is furnished by the tusks ot 

 the elephant, recent and extinct. When cut and polished, 

 it may be recognised by its numerous lozenge-formed curved 

 lines. 



^ The hippopotami have an enormous body, with very short 

 limbs, four equal toes to each foot (the elephant has five) ; 

 tail of moderate length, nostrils dilated, skin almost hair 

 They live on vegetables, and their habitat is the rivers of 



Fig. 211. The Hippopotamus. 



Central Africa.* Their colour is a brownish black, and they 

 attain an enormous weight. Three or four may be seen in a 

 line in the river, near some cataract or stream, darting at the 

 fishes which the rapidity of the current brings near them. 

 They swim well and rapidly, and can remain a long time 

 under water. During the night they quit the rivers, and 

 feed on the herbage of the banks, or make their way to the 



* Southern and Northern as well. B. K. 



