THE SEA-HORSE AND ITS YOUNG. 229 
the fry at the opening on top of the sack (See Fig. 1). 
It was said above that the Sea-horse is soon wearied, 
with even moderate exertion; hence, probably, it was, 
that these repeated acts were each followed by a few 
minutes of rest. Indeed, the extrusion of its young lasted 
for nearly six hours, from three to six individuals being . 
set free at a time. 
The scene that followed was one of singular and lively 
interest. Iwas nervous with delight, and wished that 
every Naturalist could see it for himself. I am sure there 
is no student of nature but will excuse the enthusiasm 
which prompted me to write at once to a friend, that “he 
must not set the minister down as a horse-jockey, on 
being informed that he was now the proud possessor of 
e most numerous drove of colts ever owned by one 
man the whole wide world over.” Using my best judg- 
ment,—for, owing to the mazy motion of this tiny throng, 
counting was out of the question,—I set the number 
down as not far froma thousand. Each measured from 
five to six lines in length. Very minute creatures, truly, 
when one considers how large a portion is taken up by 
the tail, which organ was of but little more than thread- 
like dimensions. We might suppose it would require a 
few days for the young Hippo to find out the remarkable 
monkey-like endowment of its tail. Not so. Only look 
at what my- own eyes beheld many a time, when a “stam- 
pede” of these little colts was going on, although they 
were but one day old. There come two little Hippos, 
each swimming in a direction at right angles to that of 
the other. Just at the point of passing, one, lasso-like, 
whips his caudal extremity round that of his fellow, who, 
` of course, in like manner, returns the caudal compliment, 
which, to speak technically, acts as a “double lock.” Of 
