صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

tions, &c., doing great mischief wherever they go. The Egyptians are said to lay a quantity of peas near the places where one of these creatures frequents, and his hunger generally makes him devour the peas as soon as he comes to the land. They produce insupportable thirst: he drinks immediately: the peas swell so much in his stomach, as afterwards to kill him.

The flesh is much esteemed by the natives, who often dig pit-falls in the paths which lead to his haunts. Even on land he is very formidable when attacked or provoked, and in the water the negroes do not attempt to molest him. When undisturbed, he allows the boats on the river to pass him peaceably: if irritated, he will sink the whole boat in a moment.

These creatures are capable of being tamed. The skin is cut into thongs for whips. The tusks are superior to ivory, as they always retain their whiteness.

In concluding this brief description of the Hippopotamus, we may remark, that it is one of a race of animals formed to range the green forests and still lakes of our infantine world. Happily they are almost extinct if indeed they abounded to any great extent, the human race, by thousands, would be compelled to lie down and die, since these monsters would destroy vegetation, and make our lovely and beautiful vales where the corn, tipt by the falling sunbeams, waves to and fro like flowing gold-a barren wilderness and an inhospitable desert.

[graphic][ocr errors]
« السابقةمتابعة »