Plate II.

1Rhinoceros. 2, Civet. 3, Ichneumon. 4, Nyl Ghau.

sition, they are in general inoffensive and peaceable. They have on the nose a solid, conical horn, not fixed in the bone: this is never shed, but remains during life. Their skin is tuberculated and exceedingly hard, but on the under parts of the body it is sufficiently tender to be cut through with a knife. The general internal structure of these animals corresponds with what is observed in the horse.

THE SINGLE-HORNED OR COMMON RHINOCEROS*.

The Single-horned Rhinoceros is not exceeded in size by any land animal except the elephant, and in strength and power he gives place to none. His nose is armed with a formidable weapon, a hard and solid horn, sometimes more than three feet in length, and, at the base, eighteen inches in circumference; and with this he is able to defend himself against the attack of every ferocious animal.

The body of the Rhinoceros is defended by a skin so hard as to be impenetrable, except in the under parts, by either a knife or spear. It is said, that, even to shoot a full-grown Rhinoceros of advanced age, it is necessary

See Plate ii. Fig. 1.

DESCRIPTION. The length of the Rhinoceros is usually about twelve feet, and this is also nearly the girth of his body. The skin, which is of a blackish colour, is disposed, about the neck, into large plaits or folds. A fold of the same kind passes from the shoulders to the fore-legs; and another from the hind part of the back to the thighs. The skin is naked, rough, and covered with a kind of tubercles, or large callous granulations. Between the folds, and under the belly, it is soft, and of a light rose-colour. The ears are moderately large, upright, and pointed. The eyes are small, and so situated that the animal can only see what is nearly in a direct line before him.

The Rhinoceros is a native of India, Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, and several parts of Ethiopia.

SYNONYMS. Rhinoceros unicornis. Linnæus.-Rhinoceros. Buffon, Pennant, &c.-Shaw's Gen. Zool. Pl. 60.-Bew. Quad. p. 175.

VOL. I.

to use iron bullets, as those of lead are sometimes flattened by striking against the skin.

The upper lip of this animal answers, in some measure, the same purpose as the trunk of the elephant. It protrudes over the lower one in the form of a lengthened tip; and, being extremely pliable, is used in catching hold of the branches of trees and shrubs, and delivering them into the mouth.

Although the Rhinoceros is generally of a quiet and inoffensive disposition, yet when this animal is attacked or provoked he becomes extremely dangerous; and he is sometimes subject to paroxyms of fury, which nothing can assuage.

In the year 1743, a Rhinoceros was brought from Bengal into Europe. He was at this time only two years old, and the expense of his food and journey amounted to nearly 1000l. sterling. He had every day, at three meals, seven pounds weight of rice, mixed with three pounds of sugar; besides hay and green plants: he also drank large quantities of water. In his disposition he was sufficiently peaceable, readily permitting all parts of his body to be touched. When he was hungry, or was struck by any person, he became mischievous, and nothing would appease him but food.

Another of these animals, which was brought from Atcham, in the dominions of the king of Ava, was exhibited at Paris in the year 1748. He was tame, gentle, and even caressing; was fed principally on hay and corn, and was much delighted with sharp or prickly plants, and the thorny branches of trees. The attendants frequently gave him branches that had sharp and strong thorns on them; but he bent and broke them in his mouth without seeming to be in the least incommoded. It is true they sometimes drew blood from the mouth and tongue; "but that," says Father le Compte, who gives us the description, "might even render them the more palatable, and these little wounds might serve only to cause a sensation on the palate similar to that excited by salt, pepper, or mustard on ours."

As an equivalent for a very dull sight, the Rhinoceros has a most acute and attentive ear. He has also the power of running with great swiftness; and, from his enormous strength and his impenetrable covering, he is capable of rushing with resistless violence through the woods; the smaller trees bending like twigs as he passes them. In his general habits and manner of feeding the Rhinoceros resembles the elephant: he resides in cool, sequestered spots, near waters, and in shady woods. Like the hog, he delights in occasionally wallowing in the mire.

The flesh of this animal is an article of food in some parts of Ceylon, Java, and Sumatra. The skin, flesh, hoofs, teeth, and even the dung, are each used medicinally. The horn, when cut through the middle, is said to exhibit, on each side, the rude figure of a man; the outlines being marked by small white strokes. Many of the Indian princes drink out of cups made of this horn; erroneously imagining that, when these hold any poisonous draught, the liquor will ferment till it runs quite over the top. Martial informs us, that the Roman ladies of fashion used these horns in the baths, to hold their essence-bottles and oils. The Javanese make shields of the skin.

The only three animals of this species that have been brought into England during the last half century, were all purchased for the exhibition-rooms at Exeter 'Change. One of them, of which the skin is still preserved, came from Laknaor, in the East Indies, and, in 1790, was brought in the Melville Castle East Indiaman, as a present to Mr. Dundas. This gentleman, however, not wishing to have the trouble of keeping him, gave the animal away; and not long afterwards, he was purchased by Mr. Pidcock, of Exeter 'Change, for the sum of 700l. This animal exhibited no symptoms of a ferocious propensity, and would even allow himself to be patted on the back and sides by strangers. His docility was about equal to that of a tolerably tractable pig: he would obey the orders of his keeper, to walk about the