THE HlPFOFOTAMfTf. 175 



shortness of his leg*, this quadruped is not able, 

 according to Buffon, to more fast upon land, 

 and is then extremely timid. When panned he 

 takes to the water, phmge* in, sinks to die bot- 

 tom, and is seen walking there at ease; he can- 

 not, however, continue there long without rising 

 to the surface. In the day-time he is so mock 

 afraid of being discovered, that, when be inhales 

 fresh air, the place is hardJy perceptible, for he 

 scarcely ventures to pot even his nose out othe 

 water. 



The hippopotamus when wounded, will rise 

 and attack boats or canoes with great fury, and 

 sometimes sink them by biting large pieces out 

 of their sides. In shallow rivers, be makes deep 

 holes in the bottom, in order to conceal his enor- 

 mous bulk. When he quits die water he usually 

 puts out half of his body at once, and smefls and 

 looks around; but sometimes rushes out with 

 great impetuosity. During the night be leaves 

 the rivers in order to feed on sugar-canes, rushes, 

 millet, rice, &c. consuming great quantities, and 

 trampling down every thing in bis way. 



The Egyptians have a singular method of 

 freeing themselves from this destructive animal. 

 They lay a large quantity of peas in the places 

 that he chiefly frequents, and when the creature 

 comes ashore, he begins eating voraciously, till 

 the food occasion an insupportable thirst. He 

 then rushes into the water, and drinks so copi- 

 esly that the peas in bis stomach, being fully 



