HIPPOPOT AME. 
vided into four parts : but notwithstanding it is an 
amphibious animal, are unconnected by mem¬ 
branes : the legs fhort and thick. 
In bulk, it is fecond only to the Elephant: the 
length of a male has been found to be feventeen 
feet; the circumference of its body fifteen; its 
height near feven ; the legs near three •, the head 
above three and a half; its girth near nine. HajfeU 
quift fays, its hide is a load for a Camel. 
Inhabits the rivers of Africa , from the Niger to 
the Cape of Good Hope . Found in none of the 
African rivers which run into the Mediterranean , 
except the Nile, and even there only in the upper 
/Egypt * 9 and in the fens and lakes of y! Ethiopia , 
which that river paffes through : is a mild and gentle 
animal, unlefs it be provoked : inhabits equally the 
land and the water: during night, leaves the rivers 
to graze, and does great damage to the fugar canes , 
and plantations of rice and millet; it alfo feeds on 
the roots of trees, which it loofens with its great 
teeth; and will prey on fmall fifh: it is a clumfy 
animal on the land, walks flowly ; but when pur- 
fued, takes to the water, plunges in and finks to 
the bottom, and is feen walking there at full eafe ; 
it often rifes to the furface, and remains with its 
head out of water, frequently making a bellowing 
noife that may be heard at a vail diflance : if 
wounded, will rife and attack boats or canoes with 
* Dr, Shaw fays, that the prelent race of JEgyptians are not even 
acquainted with this animal; none ever appearing below the ca¬ 
taracts of the Nile. It was not fo formerly ; for Radzi-vil relates, 
that- he faw and fhot at four near Drnktta, Hajfdquifl confirms the 
account of our countryman. 
