HIPPOPOTAMUS. 101 



(Genera.) 

 Four equal toes. - HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



PACHYDERMATA 



f Equal, and the TwQ , 



foot having the t rmed * ilh slrong 

 appearance ot be-^ hoof while the , ale _ 



ing forked. I 



late- Y 

 und. J 



ORDINARIA. I Having on all the j IQ regt Qn the found 

 Having toes in ' feet I. 



number f Tliree toes on all 



RHINOCEROS. 



Unequal, and j the feet, 

 the f tot not } Four toes before and T 

 forked. [ three behind. 



2. The HIPPOPOTAMUS, the River Horse, (Plate 5, fig. 4.) 

 Animals of this genus have a massive body, short legs and tail, 

 inflated muzzle, and the skin almost free of hair. 



3. These animals, whose belly almost reaches the ground, so 

 short are their extremities, live in the rivers of southern Africa, 

 and feed on vegetable substances. They are brownish black, 

 and are from ten to eleven feet long, and from four to five feet in 

 height. They seek their food in the water as well as on land. 

 Sometimes three or four of them are seen together in a river, or 

 near a cataract, forming a sort of line and rushing upon the fishes 

 which the rapidity of the current brings towards them. They 

 swim with great vigor, and remain a long time under water with- 

 out any necessity of breathing the air ; they conduct themselves 

 with so much precaution, rising so little above the surface of the 

 water, that they can scarcely be seen. During the night, they 

 leave the rivers to visit plantations of sugar, millet, or rice, which 

 they devour with avidity : they are so impetuous in their march, 

 that they break down every thing that comes in their way. 

 Their fierce character renders them very formidable. 



4. HOGS, Sws, also have four toes on all the feet, but two of 

 them are very large, directed forwards, and two which are very 

 small and external, scarcely touch the ground. Their incisors 

 vary in number, and the canines protrude from the mouth, and 

 are all recurved like true tusks ; their muzzle is terminated by a 

 truncated, fleshy button, suitable for rooting the ground. Their 

 sense of smell is very fine, and their tongue is soft. They live 

 in troops in forests, where they feed on roots and fruits although, 

 they manifest no repugnance to animal food. To this genus be- 

 longs : 



2. How are animals of the genus Hippopotamus distinguished ? 



3. What are the general characters of animals of this genus ? 



4. What are the characters and habits of Hogs? 





