Though these three kinds of creatures belong to different genera, there
is a certain family likeness among them that entitles them to be classed
together; and since there are not many species of each, they will
conveniently form a group.
Of late the hippopotamus has been the most notorious of the three;
though he is far from being as interesting an animal as the rhinoceros.
Since, however, he is at present the most popular, we shall give him the
foremost place in our sketch.
The Hippopotamus was known to the Greeks and Romans. His name is Greek,
and, as every one knows, signifies the River-horse. Why so called? you
may ask--since between this unwieldy creature and the beautiful horse
there does not appear a single point of resemblance. The answer is,
that the cry of the hippopotamus was fancied to resemble the neighing of
a horse; and in some respects this is really the case. Hence the
misnomer. The Dutch of the Cape Colony call the creature a Cow, or
Sea-cow, which is also an ill-adapted name. The cow is well enough, for
the head and mouth of the animal bear a very striking resemblance to
those of a broad-muffled cow; but what the "sea" has to do with it is
not so clearly understood: since the hippopotamus is found only in fresh
water in lakes and rivers.
Every one knows that this huge creature is of amphibious habits; and
lives equally well on land, in the water, or even under the water. It
requires air, however, and at intervals rises to the surface to breathe.
On such occasions it usually projects a jet of water from its
nostrils--in other words, it spouts, after the manner of the whales.
It is altogether herbivorous; and grass and the leaves of succulent
plants form its subsistence. A vast quantity of these are required to
sustain it; and a single individual will consume as much as two hundred
pounds' weight in a day.
The hippopotamus, notwithstanding its formidable appearance, is not a
dangerous enemy if suffered to go unmolested, or rather if persons do
not come in its way. When wounded, however, or even intruded upon in
its solitary haunts, it will attack man himself; and a boat or canoe
passing along a river frequented by these creatures is in danger of
suffering a similar fate to that resulting from an encounter with the
great whale--that is, of being tossed out of the water or broken to
pieces.
The River-horse, or Sea-cow (whichever you prefer to call the creature),
is exclusively confined to the African continent; and is found in all
the great lakes and rivers from the Cape Colony to the southern limits
of the Sahara. It is indigenous to the Upper Nile; but does not show
itself in the lower half of that river. In fact, its range appears to
be exactly co-terminal with that of the African elephant.
There is a question about the number of species. For long it was
supposed there was only one, but now it is ascertained that two, or even
more, exist. The hippopotami of the Nile differ considerably from each
other and also from the species known as Sea-cow in South Africa; while
a smaller kind than either has been observed in the rivers of Western
Africa.
The _Rhinoceros_ is altogether a more curious and interesting animal
than the hippopotamus; but, being more common, and oftener encountered
by modern travellers, it is at present less an object of curiosity.
Of rhinoceroses at least seven distinct species are known--three of them
being Asiatic, and four African.
The largest of all is the Indian rhinoceros, which inhabits a part of
Bengal and the countries beyond--Burmah, Siam, and Cochin China. This
species is easily distinguished from the others by the thick rough skin,
which is placed on the animal's body in such a fashion as to resemble a
coat of ancient armour. The singular protuberances have a complete
resemblance to the "bosses" which were worn on the shields and
breast-plates of warriors of the olden time.
A second species, the Warak, which inhabits Java, is somewhat similarly
accoutred; but the third Asiatic kind, the Sumatran rhinoceros, has a
smoother skin, more resembling that of the African rhinoceros.
These last-mentioned are denizens of the African continent; but
especially of the regions extending northward from the Cape. They do
not all four frequent the same district; but two, and sometimes three of
them, are found in one locality. They are distinguished as the black
and white rhinoceroses--there being two species of the black, and two of
the white. The black ones are much fiercer than their white congeners;
although the latter are by far the largest, and present a far more
formidable appearance, from the extreme length of their horns.
The _Tapir_ was for a long time supposed to be exclusively an American
animal, but later research proves that there is also a species in Asia.
It is found in the Island of Sumatra, and is larger than the American
species, though very much resembling it in other respects. A new
species has also been discovered in South America, altogether differing
from the American tapir already so well-known.
The habits of the American tapir are not unlike those of the rhinoceros.
It is a creature of great strength, and heavy in its movements. It can
live for a long time under water; and its haunts are the banks of the
great rivers--especially where these are marshy, and covered with reeds
and other aquatic plants, which constitute its food. It can swim or
walk under the water at will; but its lair is generally in some bushy
retreat at a distance from the banks; and its visits to the water are
usually nocturnal. It is an object of chase among the native Indians,
who prize both its flesh and skin; but its capture is by no means an
easy matter, since its thick hide renders it impervious to the tiny
arrow of the blow-gun.
This species is found in all the rivers of South America, from Paraguay
to the Isthmus of Darien; but its range terminates very abruptly on the
north--a fact which puzzles the naturalist, since for many degrees
further northward, climate and other circumstances are found similar to
those which appear to favour its existence in the southern part of the
continent.
The other species of American tapir differs considerably in the nature
of its haunts and habits. In these it is said more to resemble the
tapir of Sumatra. The latter is found dwelling at a great elevation, in
fact, on the tops of the highest mountains of that island; whereas the
Danta, or American tapir, is altogether confined to the low hot plains.
In the same district of country, and even in the same rivers--but
further up among the mountains--the smaller species of American tapir is
met with, but never upon the low level of the plains.
When we consider that for more than three centuries, in a country
inhabited by a civilised people, this new species of American tapir has
remained not only undescribed but even unknown to the scientific world,
we may fairly conjecture that other species of this, as well as of many
other animals, may yet be brought to light to gratify the lover of
nature, and add to his store of pleasant knowledge.