NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



The weight of an adult Hippo bull is at least 

 three tons. The total length 14 feet, and height 

 at the shoulder averages 3 feet 10 inches. The 

 Hippo is useful in the economy of Nature in the 

 wilder districts in keeping down the vegetation 

 which tends to grow too profusely along the banks 

 of rivers ; and in clearing the water itself of plants 

 which would otherwise impede its flow and cause 

 the river to overflow its banks and spread over the 

 surrounding country, creating extensive marshes. 



A Pigmy Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus liberiensis) 

 inhabits Liberia and the adjacent parts of the 

 west coast. It is less than half the size of the 

 typical Hippo, and also differs in other respects. 



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