THE HIPP0P0TA:\IUS 79 



By day, if disturbed, they instantly plunge, 

 and either swim away under water or remain 

 concealed until the impending danger has passed 

 them by. For this purpose they are endowed 

 with the power of remaining below the surface for 

 periods variously estimated, but believed to reach 

 a maximum of ten or twelve minutes. They then 

 rise to the siurface, and sometimes silently, some- 

 times with a curious sobbing bellow, audible for 

 great distances, they release the pent-up contents 

 of their enormous lungs almost without disturbing 

 the surface, take in a fresh supply, and sink once 

 more from view. 



The hippopotamus breeds all the year round, 

 producing one calf at a birth, the period of 

 gestation being between eight and nine months. 

 After the birth of the calf, the cows, as in the cases 

 of other animals, become extremely savage, and 

 doubtless many of the stories told of attacks upon 

 and overtmnings of canoes and other craft may 

 have their origin in some unintended intrusion 

 upon the resting-place of a watching mother. I 

 have heard it stated that whilst very yoimg and 

 helpless the baby hippos at times fall \'ictims to 

 the attacks of crocodiles, and it has been even said 

 that several females, as the time for the interesting 

 event approaches, wiU be at pains to rid the pool 

 or other expanse of water near which their off- 

 spring are bom from the presence of these rep- 

 tiles. In any case, for a long time after birth, 

 the maternal instinct is touchingly strong, and 

 the tiny animals pass the greater part of their 

 time standing on the backs and shoulders of their 



