. The Cambridge natural history. Zoology. 274 HIPPOPOTAMUS jaw, and they were distinguished as a genus Hexaprotoclon, con- trasting with Tetraprotodon, until intermediate conditions were observed. Ghoero-psis, as akeady observed, was a still further reduction of the tetraprotodont type. The molars (the formula is Pm I M1) when worn show a double trefoil pattern. The orbital cavity is encircled by bone. As with many other aquatic mammals the kidneys are Fig. 140.—Hippopotamus. Hi_ppopotamus ampliihius. x ^„. A very singular fact about the Hippopotamus is the pro- duction of a "
. The Cambridge natural history. Zoology. 274 HIPPOPOTAMUS jaw, and they were distinguished as a genus Hexaprotoclon, con- trasting with Tetraprotodon, until intermediate conditions were observed. Ghoero-psis, as akeady observed, was a still further reduction of the tetraprotodont type. The molars (the formula is Pm I M1) when worn show a double trefoil pattern. The orbital cavity is encircled by bone. As with many other aquatic mammals the kidneys are Fig. 140.—Hippopotamus. Hi_ppopotamus ampliihius. x ^„. A very singular fact about the Hippopotamus is the pro- duction of a " bloody sweat," a carmine-coloured secretion, con- taining small crystals and corpuscles, from the skin. This coloured fluid has of course nothing to do with blood.^ The animal grows to a length of at any rate 14 feet. The limbs and the tail are short. Like other aquatic animals the nostrils are on the surface of the head, and can be closed when the animal is under water. When it reaches the surface of the water after a prolonged immersion, it spouts like a Whale. Sir Samuel Baker says that ten minutes is the longest time that the Hippopotamus can remain below the water. It is frequently a dangerous animal to encounter, as it will capsize boats, and even bite large pieces out of their bottoms; with its huge teeth it ' Tomes, Froc. Zool. Soc. 1850, p. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Harmer, S. F. (Sidney Frederic), Sir, 1862- ed; Shipley, A. E. (Arthur Everett), Sir, 1861-1927. ed. [London, Macmillan and Co. , Limited; New York, The Macmillan Company
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1895
