408 Bibliography, 



orbit is placed about midway between the occiput and snout, and 

 the latter is consequently short ; while in the large species the 

 orbits are placed about one third the distance between the occiput 

 and snout. The H. minor has only two canines in the lower 

 jaw ; the false molars are proximate to the canines ; and the base 

 of the zygomaB is in the same plane with the upper maxilla. 



The second skull of this species (which is of the same length 

 as the other) is that of a younger animal ; for the sutures are 

 open, and the teeth in the process of changing from the deciduous 

 to the permanent set. The posterior molars are only partially 

 protruded, and rise obliquely from the jaws, like those of the 

 Elephant and Mastodon. 



Dr. Goheen, who assured me from the first that he could find 

 no notice of this animal in the systematic works, has obligingly 

 favored me with the following memorandum in relation to it. 

 "This animal abounds in the river St. Paul's, and varies in 

 weight from four hundred to seven hundred pounds. It is slow 

 and heavy in its motions, yet will sometimes stray two or three 

 miles from the river, in which situation it is killed by the natives. 

 It is extremely tenacious of life, and almost invulnerable except- 

 ing when shot or otherwise wounded in the heart. When in- 

 jured it becomes irritable and dangerous, but is said by the na- 

 tives never to attack them when in their canoes. The negroes 

 are very fond of the flesh, which seems to be intermediate in 

 flavor between beef and veal." 



My comparisons with the common Hippopotamus have been 

 made on four specimens, (three of which are fully grown,) two 

 from the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope, and two from the 

 Senegal River. 



Akt. XIX. — BibliograpMcal Notices. 



1. An Inquiry into the distinctive characteristics of the aboriginal 

 race of America ; by Samitel George Morton, M. D. — Turning aside 

 from the many systems that would derive the American race from the 

 various tribes in the old world, Dr. Morton in his able essay gives us 

 reasons for the belief that they are distinct from all other nations, and 

 that in spite of some singular diversities among themselves, they are 

 originally from one and the same stock. The physical characteristics 

 and osteological conformation present a uniformity that is indeed aston- 



