NATURAL HISTORY. 



Bub-family a. Nippopotamina. 

 HIPPOPOTAMUS. (Gr. ITTTTO?, a Horse ; Trorauoc. & River. ^ 



Ampliibius (Gr. 'A/j.^1 /3tocj\ the Hippopotami;, 1 !. 



There is, in all probability, but one species of the HIPPO- 

 POTAMUS. It inhabits Africa exclusively, and is found in plenty 

 on the banks of many rivers, where it may be seen gamboling 

 and snorting at all times of the day. 



They are quiet and inoffensive while undisturbed, but if 

 attacked they unite to repel the invader, and have been known 

 to tear several planks from the side of a boat, and sink it. 

 They can remain about five or six minutes under water, and 

 when they emerge they make a loud and very peculiar snorting 

 noise, which can be heard at a great distance. 



The hide is very thick and strong, and is chiefly used for 

 whips. The well-known " cow-hides" are made of this mate- 

 rial. Between the skin and flesh is a layer of fat, which is 

 salted and eaten by the Dutch colonists of Southern Africa. 

 When salted it is called Zee-koe speck, or Sea-cow's bacon- 

 The ilesh is also iti some request, 



