The Sumatran Rhinoceros 



replaced by a smaller, blacker, and less hairy form, 

 which if distinct from the typical Sumatran animal (as 

 is probably the case) should be known as R. sumatrensis 

 niger. 



In habits the Sumatran rhinoceros appears to be very 

 similar to the Javan species ; both affecting forested 

 hill-country, which may be at a considerable altitude 

 above the sea. In the Mergui Archipelago a rhinoceros, 

 which may be this species, is stated to have been seen 

 swimming from island to island ; and it is probable that 

 all the Asiatic representatives of the family will take 

 readily to the water, although in Somaliland the African 

 rhinoceros is found in absolutely arid districts, where it 

 cannot even drink for long periods. 



The type specimen of the hairy race of the Sumatran 

 rhinoceros was a female, captured at Chittagong in the 

 year 1868. When discovered by native hunters she 

 was embedded in a quicksand, and well-nigh exhausted 

 by her struggles to reach terra firma. By attaching 

 ropes to her neck she was safely extricated from her 

 perilous position, and fastened to a tree, where next 

 morning she was found so refreshed and so violent 

 that her captors were afraid to approach. Accordingly, 

 a report of the capture was sent to Chittagong, and 

 soon after a couple of English officials arrived with 

 elephants, to one of which the rhinoceros was made 

 fast, and, after some trouble, marched into the station, 

 where she soon became tame. Eventually she was 

 secured for the London Zoological Society, in whose 

 Proceedings for 1872 her coloured portrait appeared. 

 By a lucky coincidence a specimen of the typical 

 representative of the species was procured by the 

 Society at the close of 1872, so that the two forms 

 were exhibited side by side. While in the docks the 

 Chittagong animal gave birth to a young one ; and 

 from certain facts that came to his knowledge, the late 

 Mr. A. D. Bartlett was led to conclude that the period 

 of gestation in the species was only a little over seven 



39 



