HIPPOPOTAMUS. 
each armed with four little hoofs round the 
edges; but, notwithstanding it is an amphi- 
bious animal, they are unconnefted by mem- 
branes. 
In bulk, the Hippopotamus is second only 
to the Elephant, The male is sometimes se- 
venteen feet in length, fifteen in circumference, 
and seven in height. It's legs are nearly three 
feet; and the head three and a half long, and 
nearly nine in girth. Tvvelve oxen have been 
found necessary to draw a single animal ashore,, 
after it was shot ; and, according to Hassei- 
quist, the hide is a load for a Camel. 
These animals inhabit the rivers of Africa, 
from the Niger to Berg River, many miles 
north of the Ccipe of Good Hope. They 
formerly abounded in the rivers near the Cape, 
but are now extirpated. To preserve the few 
wiiich are left in Berg River, the governor,. 
Pennant asserts, has absolutely prohibited 
shooting them without special perm-ission. 
This naturalist also says, that the Hipp.opota- 
mus is not found in any of the African rivers, 
which ran into the Mediterranean, except th& 
Nile-j. 
