98 A DESCRIPTION OF 
and a half high, and measures nearly six feet in length. 
It lies in thickets, the thorny branches of which cannot 
affect it from the thickness of its skin, while they lacerate 
the skins of its pursuers. It generally feeds on water- 
melons. It is generally found alone, and always roams 
for prey at night; but it is easily tamed if taken young. 
It possesses the same power of remaining under water as 
the hippopotamus, and when it enters a pond, it can de- 
scend to the bottom, and remain there five or six 
minutes. 
THE HORSE. (Equus caballus.) 
THE noblest conquest that man ever made on the brute 
creation was the taming of the Horse, and the engaging 
him to his service. He lessens the labours of man, adds 
to his pleasures, advances or flees, with ardour and swift- 
ness, for attack or defence ; shares, with equal docility 
and cheerfulness, the fatigues of hunting, the dangers of 
war, and draws with appropriate strength, rapidity, or 
grace, the heavy ploughs and carts of the husbandman, 
