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CHAPTER XV. 



THE HIPPOPOTAMUS {HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIUS). 



This strange and uncouth-looking animal, belongs to tlie pachy- 

 dermatous order of mammals, and is partially amphibious, for, as a 

 rule, it lives during the day-time, submerged in its native waters, 

 rising every few minutes to the surface for the purpose of breathing 

 and only comes to the land during the night to feed. 



There are two species of the hippopotamus now existing, both 

 belonging to the same family, Hippopotamidce. At one time the 

 race was more numerous, and their range much more diffused, for 

 the remains of other species, one as small as the domestic hog, are 

 found in the tertiary formation of Europe. And in Asia, at the 

 base of the Himalayas, the bones of another extinct species were 

 discovered that had six incisor teeth in each jaw. 



The two varieties are known as the Liberian hippopotamus and 

 the Hippopotamus amphibius. They differ in several minor points, 

 the principal ones being that the former animal is much smaller 

 in size, and possesses only one pair of incisor teeth instead of two. 

 It is a very rare beast, and the only specimen ever brought to 

 this country was a young one in a moribund condition. 



The hippopotamus at the present day is only found in Southern 

 and Central Africa, where it abounds in the various rivers and 

 lakes ; but, with the exception of that part of the Nile that runs 

 through Upper Egypt, it is not to be found in any waters that 

 have their outlet in the Mediterranean. 



The specimens of these beasts now in the Zoological Society's 

 gardens, occupy the adjoining apartments to the giraffe, where 

 they have a roomy tank in which they pass most of their time. 

 No greater contrast could be exhibited than is apparent between 



