^8 t^ rhinoceros, y^*. tt.' 



But the peculiar feature which distinguilheS 

 this animal from all others, is its horn. This for- 

 midable weapon is placed upon its nose ; it con- 

 sists of a substance of the nature of horn ; it is 

 pliant and flexible when split into small pieces ; 

 it is of a dulky greyifh colour, and semitranspa- 

 rent ; its fibres are coarser than those of horn, 

 rather resembling whalebone in this respect. This 

 horn has no core, like those of cattle, fheep, and 

 many other animals, but is solid throughout its 

 whole length. With this powerful weapon it 

 defends itself from every adversary. The tiger 

 will rather attack, the elephant, whose trunk it 

 can lay hold of, than the rhinoceros, which it can- 

 not face without danger of having its bowels tora 

 out. 



The body and limbs of the. rhinoceros, are co- 

 vered with a Ikin so hard and impenetrable, that 

 he fears neither the claw of the tiger, nor the 

 more formidable proboscis of the elephant ; it will 

 turn the edge of a scimitar, and even resist the 

 force of a muiket ball. The fkin, which is of a 

 blackifh colour, forms itself into large folds at the 

 neck, the fhoulders and the crupper, by whith the 

 motion of the head and limbs is facilitated. Round 

 the neck, which is very fliort, are two large folds ; 

 there is also a fold from the ftioulders, which 

 hangs down upon the fore legs, and another from 

 the hind part of the back to the thighs. The bo- 

 dy is every where covered with tuberosities or 

 knots, which are small on the neck and back, but 

 Jarger on the sides. The thighs, legs, and evea 



