THE HIPPOPOTAMUS 



409 



Swaliili name for the hippopotamus is Kihoko, and a 

 dried strip of the hide is used instead of a whip or cane 

 when riding, and rephices the cane for corporal punish- 

 ment. Its application to the bare back of a porter 

 or a culprit causes more pain than a whip or a cane. 



During the day hippopotamuses remain concealed 

 in the reeds or rushes, or in the water. In places 

 where they are much disturbed they expose themselves 



The canine tooth of a hippopotamus ^^'hich lias grown 

 into a complete circle. It is ilitfioult to imagine the 

 a,gony caused by such an untoward condition. 

 (Museum, Royal College of Surgeons, Kngland.) 



very cautiously. As a rule, the body is submerged and 

 the head alone exposed. When danger threatens, the 

 head disappears below the surface, and the nostrils^ are 

 voluntarily closed as the animal sinks under water. The 

 hippopotamus is not only an expert swimmer, but runs 

 quickl}^ along the bed of the river, and can remain 

 under water from five to eight minutes ; it then 

 cautiously raises its head to breathe, exposing only the 



