HIPPOPOTAMI. 



449 



of at least twenty hippopotami, their huge, bulky carcases looking, as they stood 

 all huddled together, like so many black rocks." After mentioning that a water- 

 buck standing on the further shore soon took alarm, Mr. Selous continues that the 

 hippopotami, " though we were in full view and only about two hundred and fifty 

 yards from them, did not seem to notice us, but stood quite motionless and appar- 

 ently asleep, except that now and then one would move his enormous head slowly 

 to the one side or the other. ... At length they heard us talking, and commenced, 

 one after the other, to walk into the river. When their bodies were half immersed 

 they let themselves down with a splash, and either swam into deep water with just 

 the tips of their heads out, or dived out of sight at once ; I suppose there must have 

 been a ledge beside which the water deepened suddenly. There were some quite 

 small calves amongst them, and these little beasts all ran into the water with a 

 splash, whilst the full-grown animals stepped in slowty and sedately." Similar 

 testimony as to the ease with which hippopotami may be approached in undisturbed 

 districts is afforded by Sir J. Willoughby in East Africa. When stealthily punting 

 on a raft towards a small herd, this writer observes that the hippopotami, " did not 

 seem to mind our approach in the least degree, but continued to enjoy themselves 

 by puffing and snorting and blowing water in jets from their nostrils, and now and 

 again sinking down, to reappear at the end of two or three minutes, and, with their 

 heads half out of the water, to take a look round. When we were within thirty 

 yards, they ceased their gambols to gaze with astonishment at what I suppose was 

 the first attempt to navigate these waters." 



On the White Nile Sir S. Baker states, that during the dry season he has seen 

 a bend of the river so crowded with hippopotami, that it seemed impossible that 

 his steamer would be able to make its way without coming into collision with some 

 of the monsters. All, however, managed to steer clear of the path of the vessel, 

 which passed through a perfect crowd of snorting and blowing heads. 



Regarding the general habits and haunts of the hippopotamus, Dr. Livingstone 

 states, that on the Chobi and other large rivers, the banks are marked by numerous 

 furrows made by these animals in ascending during the night to graze on the 

 herbage of the adjacent lands ; and he adds that as they are guided back to these 

 paths solely by scent, if a heavy rain comes on during their nocturnal excursions 

 they are unable to find their way back to the river, and stand helpless on the land. 

 The males generally remain in company with the females, although a few very 

 aged individuals of the former sex may lead more or less solitary lives. " The still 

 reaches," continues the same observer, " are their favourite haunts, as elsewhere the 

 constant exertion necessary to keep themselves from being carried down the stream 

 disturbs their nap. They remain by day in a drowsy yawning state, taking little 

 notice of things at a distance. The males utter loud, snorting grunts, which may 

 be heard a mile off. The young ones stand on the necks of their dams, and their 

 small heads appear first above the surface as they rise to breathe. The dam, 

 knowing the more urgent need of her calf, rises more frequently when it is in her 

 care. In the rivers of Londa, where they are in danger of being shot, the hippo- 

 potami gain wit by experience; for while those in the Zambesi expose their heads, 

 the others keep their noses among the water-plants, ami breathe so quickly as to 

 elude all observation." 



vol. ii. — 29 



