AMPHIBIOUS HIPPOPOTAMUS. 443 



scrvation of mankind in the earliest ages. It is a 

 native of the warmer regions of the globe, and 

 is chiefly found in the middle parts of Africa, in- 

 habiting large rivers, and especially such as run 

 through countries overshadowed by large forests ; 

 walking about at the bottom, and raising itself at 

 intervals to the surface, for the purpose of respira- 

 tion. By night it quits it watery residence, to 

 graze in the neighbouring plains, devouring great 

 quantities of herbage, and with its vast teeth de- 

 stroying the more tender kind of trees and other 

 vegetables. It is sometimes seen even in the sea, at 

 some distance from the mouths of rivers ; but this 

 is supposed to be merely for the purpose of spatiat- 

 ing more at large, by way of exercise ; for it will 

 not even drink salt water, and does not prey on lish, 

 or indeed live on any kind of animal food. The 

 general size of the Hippopotamus seems to be nearly 

 equal to that of the Rhinoceros, and it is some- 

 times even superior * Its form is highly uncouth ; 

 the body being extremely large, fat, and round ; 

 the legs very short and thick ; the head very 

 large ; the mouth extremely wide, and the teeth 

 of vast strength and size ; more particularly the 

 tusks or canine teeth of the lower jaw, which 



^ Authors vary considerably in their accounts of the size of this 

 animal. It is said that some specimens have measured seventeen 

 feet in length, seven in height, and fifteen in circumference, the 

 head alone measuring three feet and a half. It is added, that 

 twelve oxen have been found necessary to draw one ashore which 

 had .been shot in a river. Hasselquist says the hide is a load for a 

 Camel. 



