RHINOCEROS BICORNIS. 



young specimens it is scarcely visible when the other is several inches in 

 length. In the Rhinoceros Keitloa, again, the young have both horns of 

 equal length. 



The present species, under the name of Rhinoster, has been familiarly known to the colonists 

 of the Cape of Good Hope ever since 1652. In that year, when the Dutch first formed their 

 settlement on the shores of Table Bay, this animal was a regular inhabitant of the thickets 

 which clothed the lower slopes of Table Mountain. The abandonment of those spots by this 

 animal as a measure of safety, probably constituted the commencement of a forced migration, 

 which has continued to extend ever since, and which has led not only to the disappearance of 

 the species from the districts within the present colonial limits, but also in a great measure to 

 its removal from countries beyond those limits, as far as hunters efficiently armed are accus- 

 tomed to resort. If a system, such as has hitherto prevailed, continues to exist, and the larger 

 animals persevere in flying to avoid the effects of fire-arms, the time may arrive when the 

 various species which formerly may have been scattered, each, in a peculiar locality of a large 

 continent, will be huddled together ; and indeed an advance towards that period is in progress, 

 as may be inferred from the concentration which is at present taking place in the interior of 

 South Africa. Though many of the individuals which inhabited the countries where now not 

 a single Rhinoceros is to be seen, were doubtless destroyed, yet it is equally certain that many 

 others escaped, and thereby assisted in adding to the accumulation which is in progress in 

 other localities. Until lately the present was the only species of the genus which was known 

 to be receding from its native country, but of late another has been led to a like course ; and 

 the Rhinoceros Shnus which but a few years ago was common in the neighbourhood of 

 Latakoo, has, since the more general introduction of fire-arms into that country, almost 

 entirely ceased to approach within a hundred miles of it. From a consideration of the various 

 facts which we have collected in relation to the species now under consideration, and which we 

 shall detail more at length elsewhere, we feel disposed to regard it to a certain extent as a 

 prisoner in the country it now inhabits, and are inclined to believe the southern extremity of 

 the continent, and the country along the western coast towards Benguela to have once formed 

 its favourite residence. 



Like the Keitloa, this species feeds upon brushwood and the smaller branches of dwarf-trees, 

 from which circumstance it is invariably found frequenting wooded districts, and in those 

 situations its course may often be traced by remarking the mutilations of the bushes. As 

 it feeds but slowly, and besides passes much of its time in idleness, it must be regarded as a 

 very moderate eater, and considering it appears to be fastidious in the choice of its food, it is 

 fortunate for its comfort that it does not require more nourishment. Of the many shrubs 

 which exist in the localities in which it resides, few comparatively appear formed for its choice, 

 as it is to be seen approaching many and leaving them again without either injuring a branch 

 or plucking a leaf. This evident nicety in the selection of its aliment makes it difficult to ima- 

 gine how so many large animals as are sometimes congregated together within a very limited 

 space can find sufficient for their consumption. Even admitting that the reproduction of the 

 parts which the Rhinoceros may devour takes place with uncommon rapidity in the climates 

 they inhabit, and consequently the shrubs are comparatively soon in a condition to supply ano- 

 ther meul, yet nevertheless, if these animals consumed in proportion to their bulk, they would 

 of necessity be forced to be less particular in the choice of their food. 



