216 
THE STORY OF THE HIPPOPOTAMUS . 
length, very short and thick legs, and enormous heads. Indeed, the ugly 
head of a hippopotamus appears as if it were too large and heavy for its 
owner, since the animal may frequently be seen resting its ungainly muzzle 
on the ground, as though to relieve the neck from the strain of its weight. 
There is, in all probability, but one species of the hippopotamus. It 
inhabits xAirica exclusively, and is found in plenty on the banks of many 
rivers in that country, where it may be seen gamboling and snorting at all 
times of the day. 
These animals are quiet and inoffensive while undisturbed; but, if 
attacked, they unite to repel the invader, and I have known them to tear 
several planks from the side of a boat, and sink it. They can remain about 
five or six minutes under water, and, when they emerge, they make a loud 
and very peculiar snorting noise, which can be heard at a great distance. 
In size the full-grown hippopotamus is equal to the rhinoceros. In form 
it is uncouth, the body being extremely large, fat, and round; the legs are 
very short and thick; the mouth extremely wide, and teeth of vast strength 
and size. The eyes and ears are small. The whole animal is covered with 
short hair, thinly set, and is of a brownish color. The hide is in some parts 
two inches thick, and not much unlike that of the hog. 
From the unwieldiness of his body, and the shortness of his legs, the 
hippopotamus is not able to move fast upon land, and is then an extremely 
timid animal. If pursued it takes to the water, plunges in, sinks to the 
bottom, and there walks at ease. It cannot, however, continue long without 
rising for air, though, if threatened with danger, it does this so cautiously 
that the place where its nose is raised above the surface of the water is 
scarcely perceptible. 
If wounded, the hippopotamus will rise and attack boats or canoes with 
reat fury, and will often sink them by biting large pieces out of their sides. 
In shallow rivers it makes deep holes in the bottom, in order to conceal its 
great bulk. When it quits the water it usually puts out half its body at 
once, and smells and looks round; but sometimes rushes out with great 
impetuosity, and tramples down everything in the way. During the night 
it leaves the rivers to feed on sugar-canes, rushes, millet or rice, of which it 
consumes great quantities. 
The Egyptians are said to adopt a singular mode of destroying this 
voracious animal. They mark the places it frequents, and there deposit a 
quantity of peas. When the beast comes ashore, hungry and voracious, it 
eagerly devours the peas, which causes a thirst. It then rushes into the 
