HIPPOPOTAMI. 47 



right bank, which rises to the height of fifteen or 

 twenty feet : two remarkable trees, with a fine 

 lofty palm-tree, grow at the extremity of the 

 point. From the number of branches proceed- 

 ing from this part, we lost ourselves, and ran out 

 of the main stream on the inner side of the 

 island, and found ourselves in shallow water. 



We here saw eleven hippopotami at one time. 

 The natives esteem the flesh of this animal a 

 great delicacy. I had a very fine view of one 

 which was frisking and gambolling near the 

 shore, its neck and one half of its body being 

 distinctly visible. The form of these huge mon- 

 sters appeared to me to resemble a fine horse, 

 such as are attached to the brewers' drays in 

 London, with a thick and nobly-arched neck, and 

 small ears, in shape very much similar to those 

 of a mouse. When their heads were visible, 

 they put us in mind of kegs floating on the sur- 

 face of the water. 



At S. 16 p. M. ran aground. We were given to 

 understand that the branch we were now in had 

 only within the last few days had any water in it. 

 We found ourselves steaming through some re- 

 markably long grass, to which there were thou- 

 sands of shells attached. A small village near us. 



