98 THE RHINOCEROS OF JAVA. 



mal creation in the Island of Java, observes, " The folds of 

 the hide, on the whole, appear less rough or prominent than 

 in the Indian rhinoceros : those of the neck are comparatively 

 smaller ; and the posterior fold, which has an oblique direc- 

 tion towards the spine, is less extended. The thick covering 

 or coat of our animal is divided on the surface into small tu- 

 bercles, or polygonous scutula ; and a few short bristly hairs, 

 rising from a slight depression in the centre, constitute a pe- 

 culiar character. The ears are bordered with a series of long 

 stiff bristles, closely arranged ; and a similar series of bristles 

 also extends along the tail, underneath, through its whole 

 length." 



When the French descriptions in the Histoire Naturelle 

 des Mammiferes and the EncyclopMie Methodique were 

 written, nothing was known of the habits of this species. 

 This hiatus has been in a great measure supplied by the 

 accurate observer above quoted. " The individual which 

 is represented in our plate, and which has afforded the pre- 

 ceding details, was taken, while very young, in the forests of 

 the Province of Kedda, and was conveyed to the Residency 

 at Magellan in the year 1815 or 1816. By kind treatment 

 it soon became domesticated to such a degree, that it per- 

 mitted itself to be carried in a large vehicle resembling a cart, 

 to the capital of Surakarta. I saw it during its conveyance, 

 and found it perfectly mild and tractable. At Surakarta it 

 was confined in the large area or square which bounds the 

 entrance to the royal residence. A deep ditch about three 

 feet wide limited its range, and for several years it never 

 attempted to pass it. It was perfectly reconciled to its con- 

 finement, and never exhibited any symptoms of uneasiness or 

 rage, although, on its first arrival, harassed in various ways, 

 by a large proportion of the inhabitants of a populous capital, 

 whose curiosity induced them to inspect the stranger of the 

 forest. Branches of trees, shrubs, and various twining plants 

 were abundantly provided for its food ; of these the species 

 of Cissus, and the small twigs of a native fig-tree were pre- 

 ferred. But plantains were the most favourite food, and the 

 abundant manner in which it was supplied with these by the 

 numerous visitors, tended greatly to make the animal mild 

 and sociable. It allowed itself to be handled and examined 

 freely, and the more daring of the visitors sometimes mounted 

 on its back. It required copious supplies of water, and 

 when not taking food, or intentionally roused by the natives, 

 it generally placed itself in the large excavations which its 

 movements soon caused in the soft earth that covered the 

 allotted space. 



