he observes, "they generally pass the day in the
water, and seek their nourishment during the
night; but in localities differently circumstanced
they often pass a portion of the day as well as the
night upon the dry land. In countries in which
the night-time constitutes the only safe period for
their 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 or rivers,
they are generally at once enabled to commence
feeding on reaching the dry land: but when they
may have passed the day in the sea, they require
commonly to proceed some distance after leaving
it, before they find the grass which appears con-
genial to their palate. It 1s not every description
of grass that Hippopotami seem to relish: they
often pass over in search of food, luxurious green
swards, which would strongly | attract many other
animals which feed upon grass.
When undisturbed, the Hippopotamus is quiet and inoffensive; or at least is injurious only by his depredations on cultivated grounds. But attacked and hard pressed he becomes furious, and rushing with open jaws on his enemy, his giant strength and overwhelming impetus render him a formidable adversary. In a boat it is dangerous to irritate him. Captain Owen records an incident that had nearly been fatal. A party being engaged in exploring a river, a violent shock was suddenly felt beneath the boat, when suddenly
