AMPHIBIOUS HIPPOPOTAMUS. 445 



drinking up a river, and having bones as strong 

 as brass ^, and ribs of iron. Its voice is a peculiar 

 kind of interrupted roar, between that of a bull 

 and the braying of an Elephant. When on land, 

 it moves in a somewhat slow and awkward 

 manner, but if pursued, can run with consider- 

 able speed, and directly plunging into the wa- 

 ter sinks to the bottom, and pursues its progress 

 beneath. It is observed to be extremely cautious 

 of making its appearance by day ; especially in 

 such places as are much frequented by mankind ; 

 scarcely lifting its nose above the surface while 

 breathing; but is fearless in rivers which run 

 through unfrequented regions ; where it is occa- 

 sionally seen to rush out of the water with sud- 

 den impetuosity, trampling down every thing in 

 its way ; and at such times is, of course, highly 

 dangerous. It is, however, naturally of a harm- 

 less disposition ; not attacking other animals, but 

 merely committing ha\'oc in plantations of maize, 

 rice, sugar-canes, &c. and destro3ang the roots 

 of trees, by loosening them with its vast teeth. 

 It is capable, notwithstanding its great bulk, of 

 swimming very swiftly. Sometimes Hippopotami 

 are seen going in herds, or companies, to the dis- 

 tance of some miles from the bank of a river, in 

 quest of food. If wounded in the water, they be- 

 come furious, and are said to attack the boats or 

 canoes from whence the injury proceeded, and 

 either overturn or sink them, by biting out large 



* Job. c, 40. 



