330 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



two pairs of points, which assume by detrition a 

 trefoil shape ; four incisives in each jaw ; in the 

 upper jaw, short, conical, and bent ; in the lower, 

 long, cylindrical, pointed, and bent forward ; one 

 canine tooth in each jaw on both sides, the upper 

 one straight, the lower thick, bent, the two rubbing 

 against each other. 



These animals have a very massive body, without 

 fur ; the legs very short ; the belly nearly touching 

 the ground ; the head enormous, terminated by a 

 large thick muzzle, which encloses the accommoda- 

 tion for their thick anterior teeth ; the tail short ; 

 the eyes and the ears small. The stomach is di- 

 vided into many sacs. They live in rivers on roots 

 and other vegetable substances, and display a great 

 deal of ferocity and also of stupidity. 



Only one species is known, found only in the 

 rivers of the South of Africa. It came formerly by 

 the Nile to the south of Egypt ; but it has long dis- 

 appeared from that country *. 



The Swine (Sus, L.) 



Which have on all their feet two middle toes, large 

 formed, with strong hoofs, and two exterior toes 

 much shorter, which scarcely touch the ground in 

 walking. The incisors vary in number, but the lower 



* The fossil bones of the Hippopotamus are very common in 

 Tuscany, and it is not yet ascertained whether they come from the 

 existing species or of some lost species ; but some bones of a small 

 species of Hippopotamus, now lost, have been found in France. 

 See Cuv. loc cit. 



