hausman] GEOGRAPHY AT THE MENAGERIE 39 



swamps ; so that we see that this gigantic animal is of very considerable 

 importance." Hippopotami are strictly vegetarians and feed 

 upon various water plants and reeds, as well as upon millet, maize, 

 sugar cane, and other crops raised by the natives. 



The Hippopotamus is unusually well fitted to live an aquatic 

 life. In the first place its eyes, ears, and nostrils are all on the 

 same level. This enables the animal to sink in the water all but 

 the very top of its head, and so lie quite out of sight, and yet see, 

 hear, and breathe perfectly. It is possible for a Hippopotamus 

 to remain under water for as long a period as ten minutes, but it 

 does not usually remain entirely submerged for more than two or 

 three. Just fancy holding your breath for ten minutes ! It is all 

 that a person can do to hold it for one. Try it and see. Further- 

 more the Hippopotamus is provided with special muscles which 

 enable it to close its nostrils and the openings into its ears when it 

 dives. When the Hippo comes to the surface after having had a 

 long dive it exhausts its lungs in a long and powerful blast, just as 

 a boy does when he comes up from diving for pennies. This 

 drives a spout of water high into the air, and resembles somewhat 

 the blowing of the whale. Notice the feet of the beast. They are 

 broad and flat, and the toes spread out widely, so that the creature, 

 big and heavy as it is, can walk through the mud without sinking 

 in too far and being caught. The broad feet are also very useful 

 in swimming. As a protection against sudden changes in tem- 

 perature, as well as to protect it from the chill of the water, the 

 Hippo possesses underneath its skin a layer of fat, from one to 

 two inches thick. The total amount of fat obtained from one 

 animal often reaches a weight of two hundred pounds. This 

 fat is much prized by the Natives. The mouth of the Hippo is well 

 formed for sweeping in great masses of vegetation, and resembles 

 in its size and effectiveness a steam scoop shovel! Have you 

 ever seen a Hippo yawn? It is as though the earth itself had 

 opened at your feet. No one who has seen a sleepy Hippo yawn, 

 in a Zoo, can feel anything but gratitude for the stout iron bars 

 that come between him and that cavernous maw! The teeth are 

 often two or more feet in length. 



Fortunately these hugh beasts are peaceably inclined, and do 

 not show any temper unless angered. Occassionally they come up 

 beneath the canoes of the natives, tear out the sides, and then 

 crunch up the unfortunates who are thrown into the water. This, 



