ORDER PACHYDERMATA. 397 



characters. We proceed to the genera and species of this 

 group. 



To the generic characters of the genus Hippopotamus, 

 including but a single existing species, it does not seem 

 necessary to add anything here to the notice of them in the 

 text ; we shall proceed, therefore, briefly to describe the 

 species from M. F. Cuvier and Mr. Burcheil. 



The locomotion of the Hippopotamus is as inelegant as its 

 make. It inhabits principally the muddy banks of rivers, 

 which it quits only by night in search of pasture, and at the 

 least noise or slightest indication of danger, dives to the 

 bottom of the water, and from time to time brings the 

 nostrils only to the surface to breathe; hence it is ex- 

 tremely difficult to kill it. It is herbivorous, but lives also 

 on the roots and bark of water-trees and plants. 



The Hippopotami are gregarious in their habits, and are 

 found probably throughout Africa, except the most northern 

 part. Anciently they were common in Egypt. 



" The Hippopotamus," says Buckhardt, " is very com- 

 mon in Dongola. It is a dreadful plague there on account 

 of its voracity, and the want of means in the inhabitants to 

 destroy it. It often descends the Nile as far as Sukkot. In 

 1812 several of them passed the Bahr el Hadjar, and made 

 their appearance at Wady Haifa and Den, an occurrence 

 unknown to the oldest inhabitants. One was killed by an 

 Arab by a shot over its right eye; the peasants ate the flesh, 

 and the skin and teeth were sold to a merchant of Sioutt. 

 Another continued its course northward, and was seen be- 

 yond the cataract at Assouan at Derau, one day's march 

 north of that place." 



The Hippopotamus is not common at Shendy, though it 

 occasionally makes its appearance there. During Mr. 

 Buckhardt's stay there, one was in the river in the vicinity 

 of Boeydha, which made great ravages in the fields. It 



Vol. III. 2 E 



