Rhinoceros, Hyrax, and Hipjop^ta mu s, 161 



forest with the most unexpected rapidity. Few 

 obstacles can stand against the onset of an infuriated 

 hippopotamus, the great bulk cf the animal bearing 

 down almost any barrier that can be opposed to it. 



The colour of the hippopotamus is a dark brown, 

 marked with a number of irregular lines resembling the 

 cracks on the surfaces of old oil paintings. The skin 

 is marked with a number of sooty black blotches, 

 which are only visible, however, upon a close examina- 

 tion. When the animal is living in its native land, 

 the ears, nostrils, and the ridge over the protruding 

 eyes are of a bright red colour, and form capital 

 marks for the rifle of the hunter. 



The slaughter of the hippopotamus by means of 

 the rifle is not at all an easy process, as the animal, 

 when alarmed, sinks at once to the bottom, and only 

 occasionally rises to the surface for air. Even on 

 these few occasions the nostrils alone are exposed 

 above the surface, so that only a very well-directed 

 bullet can do any harm. 



The hunter always endeavours to lodge his first 

 ball in the nostrils, as, if they be wounded, the animal 

 is mable to remain submerged. A second bullet in 

 the eye, or behind the shoulder, will then mostly com- 

 plete the business. 



When in her native rivers, the female hippopotamus 

 is a model parent to her offspring, carrying her cub 

 about on her back, and tending it with the most 

 affectionate care and solicitude. In confinement, 

 however, she generally behaves differently, and has on 

 more than one occasion been known to kill her infant 

 in a fit of passion. 



In former days the hippopotamus was a native of 

 Eu.\)pe, and the fossil remains are found even in our 

 own country, the London clay being especially pro- 

 lific in these relics of a bygone time. 



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