Page:Natural History (1848).djvu/159

Rh "a monstrous Hippopotamus reared itself up from the water, and in a most ferocious and menacing attitude rushed open-mouthed at the boat, and with one grasp of its tremendous jaws seized and tore seven planks from her side. The creature disappeared for a few seconds, and then rose again, apparently intending to repeat the attack, but was fortunately deterred by the contents of a musket discharged in its face. The boat rapidly filled, but as she was not more than an oar’s length from the shore they succeeded in reaching it before she sank. The keel, in all probability, had touched the back of the animal, which, irritating him, occasioned this furious attack; and had he got his upper jaw above the gunwale, the whole broadside must have been torn out. The force of the shock from beneath, previously to the attack, was so violent that her stern was almost lifted out of the water, and Mr. Tombs, the midshipman steering, was thrown overboard, but fortunately rescued before the irritated animal could seize him."

The flesh of this vast creature, which has been compared to an immense, overgrown prize-pig, much esteemed as an article of food. In South Africa it is in high request with the colonists, and we are told that the epicures of Cape Town do not disdain to use their influence with the country farmers to obtain a preference in the matter of Sea-cow’s speck, as the fat which lies immediately under the skin is called when salted and dried. Out of its thick hide, excellent whips are manufactured. They are said to be made by cutting the fresh skin into triangular strips five