s a most destructive quadruped, accustomed to both
elements, having no tongue, and moving only the upper jaw, with teeth
like a comb, which obstinately fasten into everything he can reach. He
propagates his species by eggs like those of a goose.

16. And as he is armed with claws, if he had only thumbs his enormous
strength would suffice to upset large vessels, for he is sometimes ten
cubits long. At night he sleeps under water; in the day he feeds in the
fields, trusting to the stoutness of his skin, which is so thick that
missiles from military engines will scarcely pierce the mail of his
back.

17. Savage as these monsters are at all other times, yet as if they had
concluded an armistice, they are always quiet, laying aside all their
ferocity, during the seven days of festival on which the priests at
Memphis celebrate the birthday of Apis.

18. Besides those which die accidentally, some are killed by wounds
which they receive in their bellies from the dorsal fins of some fish
resembling dolphins, which this river also produces.

19. Some also are killed by means of a little bird called the trochilus,
which, while seeking for some picking of small food, and flying gently
about the beast while asleep, tickles its cheeks till it comes to the
neighbourhood of its throat. And when the hydrus, which is a kind of
ichneumon, perceives this, it penetrates into its mouth, which the bird
has caused to open, and descends into its stomach, where it devours its
entrails, and then comes forth again.

20. But the crocodile, though a bold beast towards those who flee, is
very timid when it finds a brave enemy. It has a most acute sight, and
for the four months of winter is said to do without food.

21. The hippopotamus, also, is produced in this country; the most
sagacious of all animals destitute of reason. He is like a horse, with
cloven hoofs, and a short tail. Of his sagacity it will be sufficient to
produce two instances.

22. The animal makes his lair among dense beds of reeds of great height,
and while keeping quiet watches vigilantly for every opportunity of
sallying out to feed on the crops. And when he has gorged himself, and
is ready to return, he walks backwards, and makes many tracks, to
prevent any enemies from following the straight road and so finding and
easily killing him.

23. Again, when he feels lazy from having his stomach swollen by
excessive eating, it rolls its thighs and legs on freshly-cut reeds, i