HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 165 



with hairs like briftles : its legs are fo fhort, that its belly 

 almoft touches the ground : The hoofs are divided into 

 four parts, unconnected by membranes. 



When alarmed or purfued, it takes to the water, 

 plunges in, and finks to the bottom ; where it walks at 

 full eafe. It often rifes to the furface, and remains with 

 its head out of the water, making a bellowing noife, 

 which may be heard at a great diftance. — It feeds during 

 night on the banks of the rivers, and fometimes does 

 great damage in the adjacent plantations of rice and 

 other grain. 



The Hippopotamus is naturally mild and gentle, very 

 flow and heavy in its movements upon land, but in the 

 water bold and aclive ; and when provoked or wounded, 

 will rife, and attack boats or canoes with great fury. 

 Dampier fays, he has known one of thefe animals fink a 

 boat full of people, by biting a hole in the bottom with 

 its tulks. — The method of taking it is by digging pits in 

 the fand, in thofe parts through which the animal pafies 

 in its way to the river after it has been feeding. 



The flefh of the Hippopotamus is tender and good : 

 The fat is flfie and well tailed, and much in requeft with 

 the colonifts at the Cape, who look upon it as the mod 

 wholefome meat that can be eaten : The gelatinous part 

 of the feet in particular is accounted a great delicacy : 

 The tongue, when dried, is alfo confidered at the Cape 

 as a rare and excellent dim. 



Sparrman has given an engraving of this animal, taken 

 from a young one which he caught at the Cape, from 



which ours is copied. The female brings forth one 



young at a time. 



Scaurus treated the Romans with one of thefe crea- 



L3 



