THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 1?7 



Singular instance of pure instinct. 



pearance, when one of them fired, and shot the 

 ktter dead on the spot. The Hottentots, who 

 imagined that after this they could seize the calf 

 alive, immediately ran from their hiding-place^ 

 but though only just brought into the world, the 

 young animal got out of their hands, and made 

 the best of its way to the river, where, plunging 

 in, it got safely off. This, as the learned Pro- 

 fessor observes, is a singular instance of pure in- 

 stinct; for the creature unhesitatingly ran to the 

 river, as its proper place of security, without 

 having previously received any instructions from 

 the actions of its parent. 



The flesh of the hippopotamus affords a fa- 

 vourite repast to the Hottentots^ who are very 

 fond of it, either roasted or boiled. The gelati- 

 nous part of the feet is spoken of by Le Vaillant 

 as peculiarly delicious; and the tongue, when 

 dried, is considered at the Cape, as a rare and 

 excellent dish. The skin is cut into thongs for 

 whips, which; for softness and pliability, are pre- 

 ferred by the Africans to those made of the hide 

 of the rhinoceros; and the tus^s, from their 

 always preserving their original purity > are reck- 

 oned superior to ivory. 



These animals appear capable of being tamed ; 

 for Belon asserts, that he has seen one so gentle 

 as to be let loose out of a stable and led by its 

 keeper, without attempting to injure any per-> 

 son. They inhabit the rivers of Africa, from 



NO. iv. z 



