478 UNGLILATA. 



wild career in spite of the attempts of a native w ho fUmg his spear at 

 him, but without the least effect, as the iron point bent against the strong 

 impenetrable hide, which covered its huge carcass. 



The skin of this animal does not fall in heavy folds, like that of the 

 Asiatic species, but is nevertheless extremely thick and hard, and will 

 resist an ordinary leaden bullet, unless it be fired from a small distance. 

 The skin is employed largely in the manufacture of whips, or jamboks, 

 and is prepared in a rather curious manner. When the hide is removed 

 from the animal it is cut into strips of suitable breadth and laid on the 

 ground. These strips are then hammered for some time in order to con- 

 dense the substance of the skin, and when they are drv are carefully 

 rounded with a knife and polished with sandpaper. One of these whips 

 will continue serviceable for several years. The horn of the Borele, 

 from its comparati\'elv small dimensions, is not so valuable as that of the 

 other species, but is still employed in the manufacture of drinking- cups 

 and sword-handles. Its value is about half that of ivory. 



When wounded, the Black Rhinoceros is a truly fearful opponent, 

 and it is generally considered very unsafe to fire at the animal unless the 

 hunter is moimted on a good horse or provided with an accessible place 

 of refuge. An old experienced hunter said that he would rather face 

 fifty lions than one wounded Borele; but Mr. Oswell, the well-known 

 African sportsman, always preferred to shoot the Rhinoceros on foot. 

 The best place to aim is just behind the shoulder, for, if the lungs are 

 wounded, the animal very soon dies. There is but little blood externally, 

 as the thick loose skin covers the bullet-hole, and prevents any outward 

 effusion. When mortally wounded the Black Rhinoceros generally 

 drops on its knees. 



One of a ]iarty of Namaquas shot a Borele, and, approaching to what 

 he thought the carcass, stood astride of it and stabbed it. .\t the touch 

 of the cold steel the beast rose up and made off at full speed with its 

 dismayed rider. The Borele stopped when it had run forty or fifty paces, 

 and was killed bv a huk\' shot. 



"The Borele," says Mr. Chapman, "is a dumpy, plump-looking ani- 

 mal of a very dark color, very lively in his actions, always on the trot, 

 very nervous, wary, and fidgety, often flying round in a fury whether he 

 has observed danger or not, making the hunter sometimes believe that 

 he has been discovered. When he fancies he sees or hears anything, he 

 lifts one foot, tosses up his horn and nose and sinister little eyes, and 



