178 PACHYDERMATOUS WATER TRESPASSERS. 



Buckland wrote at the time an interesting account of 

 the animal, which was published in the " Field " news- 

 paper. The following is an extract from his letter: 



" From not having been able to have a bath for six 

 weeks or more, his skir had assumed a curious appear- 

 ance. The back, instead of being soft, shiny, and 

 indiarubber-like, was quite hard and dry, and the 

 skin was peeling off it, as from the bark of a tree. 

 His back, in fact, was much more like a bit of an old 

 forest oak than that of a water-loving animal. 



" It was, of course, expected that the moment 

 Hippo smelt and saw the water he would rush into it ; 

 but no he merely went up to it and smelt it as 

 though he had never seen it before, and it was not 

 until the Arab advanced himself partially into the 

 water that Hippo would follow. He (like a naughty 

 boy at the sea-side) soon came out again, and was 

 only persuaded to go right in by the Arab walking 

 round the edge of the tank. 



" Hippo then began to find out where he was, and 

 fcow comfortable the clean, warm water was. Down 

 he went to the bottom like a bit of lead ; then up he 

 came with a tremendous rush and a vehement snort- 

 ing ; then a duck under, then up again, prancing after 

 the manner of Neptune's sea-horses that are harnessed 

 to his chariot in the old pictures of the worthy marine 

 deity. I never recollect to have seen any creature, 

 either man or beast, so supremely happy for a short 

 time as was poor, travel- worn Hippo after his long 

 voyage of so many thousand miles. 



" Coming out of the water, Hippo smelt about for 

 food ; mangold wurzel was given him, and mightily 



