THE HTPPOPOTA^IUS 77 



winch of a large Norwegian steamer on to the 

 vessel's deck. 



They are essentially amphibious, and indifferent 

 as to whether the water they inhabit be fresh or 

 brackish or salt. I have seen them at the en- 

 trance to the Chiade River, at a point which is 

 practically on the seacoast, and I am informed 

 that they maj- stiU be observed at the mouths of 

 some of the smaller streams which discharge into 

 the Indian Ocean between that point and Queli- 

 mane, as also in those to the northward. It has 

 been said by some writers that the specific gravity 

 of these animals is such that they are thereby 

 enabled to run along the bed of a river with 

 great speed. With this statement, however, I 

 do not agree. I have watched them from a 

 position high over the clear waters of the Shire 

 River above the Miirchison Falls on several oc- 

 casions, and I am satisfied that their usual method 

 of progression under water is by swimming. 

 This they can imdoubtedly do at a great rate ; 

 moreover, as I have observed in the Macuze and 

 Licungu Rivers, as also in the Lugella. they can 

 successfully breast extraordinarily swift currents 

 which would probably not be attempted by any 

 other beast except an otter. 



The hippopotamus is a nocturnal animal. 

 During the night he leaves the water, and, follow- 

 ing the network of tunnel-like " hippo-tracks," 

 as they have come universally to be called, which 

 he pierces along the banks of the streams wherein 

 he spends his days, he makes his way leism-ely to 

 the feeding grounds. A vegetarian by habit and 



