49 2 UNGULATA. 



die beside her young one. She was unable to proceed so far, and sank 

 dying beneath the water. The action, however, had been so evidently 

 caused by some strong impulse and attraction in that direction, that the 

 party instantly proceeded to the clump of water-bushes. Nothing 

 moved — not a green flag stirred ; not a sprig trembled ; but directly they 

 entered, out burst a burly young hippopotamus-calf, and plunged head 

 foremost down the river-banks. He had all but escaped, when amidst 

 the excitement and confusion of the picked men, one of them who had 

 " more character" than the rest, made a blow at the slippery prize with 

 his boat-hook, and literally brought him up by burying the hook in his 

 fat, black flank. Two other hunters — next to him in presence of mind 

 and energy — threw their arms round the great barrel-bellied infant, and 

 hoisted him into the boat, which nearly capsized with the weight and 

 struggle. The hunting-division of the army, headed by the commander- 

 in-chief, arrived at Cairo with their prize on the 14th of November, 1849. 

 The journey down the Nile, from the place where he was captured, viz., 

 the White Nile, had occupied between five and six months. This, there- 

 fore, with a few additional days, may be regarded as the age of this hip- 

 popotamus on reaching Cairo. The color of his skin at that time was 

 for the most part of a dull reddish tone. 



When these animals have been allowed to lead their natural mode of 

 life they have bred regularly. In captivity the mother displays the same 

 watchfulness, the same resolution to defend her offspring, which is so 

 conspicuous in their wild state. Her jealousy is so great that she renders 

 the rearing of the young one a very perilous task, and is apt to injure it 

 by her awkward attempts to aid it. This difficulty has been successfully 

 overcome in many instances, and a young Hippopotamus is frequently 

 the attraction of traveling menageries. 



The Small Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus libcriensis, is found in cer- 

 tain portions of West Africa. Its most distinguishing feature is the 

 presence of only two incisor teeth in the lower jaw. It is much smaller 

 than the River-horse of Egypt or South Africa. 



