756 THE RHINASTER, OR BORELE. 
ately longer and more slender. It is a nocturnal animal, seldom being seen by day, and 
issuing at night from its place of concealment for the purpose of feeding. Being a large 
and powerful beast, and happening to be very fond of several cultivated plants, such as 
the coffee and the pepper vine, it is apt to burst its way into the plantations, and to do 
considerable damage before it retires to its forest home. It seems to be more gentle and 
tractable than the common Indian Rhinoceros, and has been trained to wear a saddle, and 
to be guided by a rider. 
The Sumatran species possesses two horns upon its nose, the first being tolerably long 
and sharp, and the second very thick, short, and pyramidal. The skin-folds are very 
slight in this animal; the hide is black in colour, rough in texture, and is covered 
with a thin crop of short bristly hairs. The neck is short and heavy, and the limbs are 
more clumsy than those of the Indian species. From all accounts it seems to be a very 
quiet creature, and to be held in no kind of dread, as an adult male has been seen to fly 
in terror before the attack of one of the native wild dogs. The head of this species is 
peculiarly long, a characteristic which is observable in the skull as well as in the living 
animal. 
Or African Rhinoceroses four species are clearly ascertained, and it is very probable 
that others may yet be in existence. Two of the known species are black, and the other 
two white; the animals differmg from each other not only in colour, but in form, 
dimensions, habits, and disposition. The commonest of the African species is the 
Borete, RaAmNAstTER, or LirrneE Buack RurNoceros, of Southern Africa; an animal 
which may be easily distinguished from its relations by the shape of the horns and the 
upper hp. In the Borele the foremost horn is of considerable length, and bent rather 
backward, while the second hern is short, conical, and much resembles the weapon of the 
Tndian animal. The head is rather rounded, and the poimted upper lip overlaps the 
lower, and is capable of considerable extension. 
The Borele is a very fierce and dangerous animal, and is more feared by the natives 
than even the lion. Although so clumsy i in shape and aspect, it is really a quick and 
active creature, darting about with lightning speed, and testing the powers of a good 
horse to escape from its charge. Like many other wild animals, it becomes furiously 
savage when wounded, but it will sometimes attack a passenger without the least 
provocation. On one occasion an angry Rhinoceros came charging down upon a wagon, 
and struck his horn into the bottom plank with such force as to send the wagon forward 
for several paces, although it was sticking in deep sand. He then left the wagon, and 
directed his attack upon the fire, knocking the burning wood in every direction, and 
upsetting the pot which had been placed on the fire. He then continued his wild career 
in spite of the attempts of a native who flung his spear at him, but without the least 
effect, as the iron point bent against the strong hide. 
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. Theskin 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 condense the substance of the 
skin, and when they are dry 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 comparatively small dimensions, is not so valuable as that of the other species, 
but is still employed in the manufacture of drinking-eups and sword-handles. Its value 
is about half that of ivory. 
The food of the Black Rhinoceros, whether the Borele or the keitloa, is composed of 
roots, which the animal ploughs out of the ground with its horn, and of the young 
branches and shoots of the wait-a-bit thorn. It is rather remarkable that the black 
species is poisoned by one of the Euphorbiaceze, which is eaten with impunity by the two 
white animals. 
When wounded, the Black Rhinoceros is a truly fearful opponent, and it is generally 
a 
