HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIUS. 
were found in several of the rivers towards the tropic of Capricorn , it may suffice to state, 
that in the course of an hour and a half a few members of the Expedition-party killed seven 
within gun-shot of their encampment ; several other individuals were in the same pool, and 
might also have been killed had it been desirable. One of the survivors was observed to make 
his escape to an adjoining pool, and in accomplishing that, he walked with considerable rapidity 
along the bottom of the river, and with his back covered with about a foot of water. 
The Hippopotami feed chiefly upon grass, and for that purpose resort to situations near the 
banks of rivers which are fitted to supply their food. In districts fully inhabited by man, they 
generally pass the day in the water, and seek their nourishment during the night; but in locali- 
ties differently circumstanced, they often pass a portion of the day as well as the night upon dry 
land. In countries in which the night-time constitutes the only safe peiiod foi theii leaving 
the water, they are generally to be seen effecting their escape from it immediately before 
dark, or are to be heard doing so soon after the day has closed, and according to the 
state of the surrounding country; they then either directly commence feeding, or begin a 
journey towards localities where food may exist. When, previous to nightfall, they may have 
been in pools of rivers, they are generally at once enabled to commence feeding on leaching the 
dry land ; but when they may have passed the day in the sea, they require commonly to pioeeed 
some distance after leaving it before they find the grass which appeal's congenial to theii 
palate. It is not every description of grass that Hippopotami seem to relish ; they often pass 
over, in search of food, luxuriant green-swards, which would strongly attract many other animals 
which feed upon grass. Besides having a peculiar relish for the grasses of certain situations, 
they appear to have a predilection for districts supporting brushwood ; and owing to the lattei 
peculiarity, they are often to be found wandering in localities on which but little grass exists, 
when they might have it in the neighbourhood in great abundance, but without the accom- 
paniment of wood. The whole of the night is probably not more than is necessary to 
admit of the Hippopotamus acquiring sufficient food for its wants; but if that be otherwise, it 
certainly prefers to pass what portion of the night may be unnecessary for procuring nourish- 
ment upon the dry land, rather than in the water, being generally only seen to retire to the 
latter upon light returning. 
It is difficult to decide, whether the Hippopotamus prefers the pools of rivers, or the waters 
of the ocean for its abode during the day. When an opportunity of exercising a choice exists, 
some individuals embrace the one, and some the other. During a journey I some years ago 
made to Port Natal and the country beyond it, I had numerous opportunities of observing the 
footsteps, as made by these animals while entering and leaving the sea ; and on one occasion 
my party had an opportunity of opposing a female accompanied by a young one, on their way 
to the sea, in which attempt the party proved unsuccessful. 
The excrement of the Hippopotamus, in common with that of the Elephant and the Rhino- 
ceros, is voided in immense cylindrical masses ; and these masses, when examined in the case of 
the Hippopotamus, seem principally to consist of comminuted grass, apparently but little altered 
by the process it must have undergone, and certainly in a drier condition than it could possibly 
have entered the stomach. 
With regard to the disposition of the Hippopotamus, that may be described as peaceable and 
inoffensive. When the animal is wounded, however, or when it happens to be accompanied in its 
excursions upon dry land by young ones, it manifests no trifling degree of ferocity, and instantly 
gives chace if in any way interrupted in the course it may be pursuing. The one which my party 
