258 



AFRICAN RHINOCEROSES 



Coryndon ^ that the calf of Rh. simus " always runs in front of 

 the cow, while the calf of Mh. hicoryiis invariably follows its 

 mother." Both animals of course have two horns, and upon the 

 varying proportions of the horns a large number of " species " have 

 been made in the past. It is stated that the longest horn of the 

 "White Ehinoceros " known measures 56^ inches; while that of 



Fig. 13-3. — Head of Rhinoceros bicornh. 



R. hicornis is shorter, 40 inches being apparently the maximum. 

 But the animal is smaller. 



The possible third African species of Ehinoceros - has been 

 provisionally named after Mr. Holmwood, and is based upon two 

 horns 41 and 42 inches long, which may be abnormal horns 

 of Rh. hicornis ; but they are thinner and have a smaller pedicel. 



Extinct Rhinocerotidae. — The existing Ehinoceroses are thus 

 confined to Africa,, to certain parts of the continent of Asia, and 

 to some of the large islands lying to the south of that continent. 

 But formerly the genus, and allied genera, had a wider range. 

 As far back as the Miocene we meet with remains of Ehinoceroses 

 closely allied to existing forms. The more ancient forms have, as 

 is natural, more ancient characters. Thus in Rh. schleiermucheri 

 of the Miocene, canines appear to have been present. The 

 Miocene Acenctherium, primitive in the al)sence of horns as its 



^ Proc. Zool. Soc. 1894, p. 329. See also Mr. Selous' paper in I')-oc. Zool. Soc. 

 1881, p. 275. 



- P. L. Sclater. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1893, p. .")14. 



