24 SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF MAMMALFA. 



From the earliest times the horn of the Indian rhino- 

 ceros (the observation applies to other species also) has 

 been regarded either as an antidote against poison or as 

 efficacious in detecting its presence, as well as useful in 

 curing disease. The Indian kings made use of it at 

 table, because, as was believed, "it sweats at the ap- 

 proach of any kind of poison whatever." Goblets made 

 of it are in high estimation ; these are often set with gold 

 or silver, and sell for large sums : when poison is poured 

 into them, the liquor, it is said, betrays its noxious quali- 

 ties by effervescing till it runs over the brim : water 

 drunk from them, or from the cup-like hollow at the base 

 of the horn, is regarded as medicinal. In the latter case 

 the water is to be stirred in the hollow with the point of 

 an iron nail till it becomes discoloured, when the patient 

 must drink it. 



The strong deep folds into which the coarse skin is 

 gathered in the cheeks, neck, shoulders, haunches, and 

 thighs, are distinguishing characters of the Indian rhino- 

 ceros. The general colour of the skin is dusky black, 

 with a slight tint of purple. Mr. Hodgson (' Proceed- 

 ings of the Zoological Society,' 1834) states that the 

 female goes from 17 to 18 months with young, and pro- 

 duces one at a birth : he adds also, " It is believed that 

 the animal lives for 100 years; one taken mature was 

 kept at Katmandoo for 35 years without exhibiting any 

 symptoms of approaching decline. The young continues 

 to suck for nearly two years : it has for a month after 

 birth a pink suffusion over the dark colour proper to the 

 mature hide." The female is desperate in the protection 

 of her young. 



The Javanese Rhinoceros (Rh. Javanus). 



As far as is ascertained, this species is confined to the 

 island of Java, where it is called Warak. In the cha- 

 racter of the incisor teeth, and the horn being single, it 

 agrees with the Indian species ; but it is a less bulky 

 animal, and, in proportion, more elevated in the limbs; 

 the folds of the skin are both less numerous, less deep, and 



