NATURAL HISTORY. 155 



Down sank the monster bulk, and press'd the ground, 



His anus and clattering shield on the vast body sound." DRTBEN, 



The horns are also used as tveapons of defence ; and in one of the species, at least, 

 the horns, which are moveable in a quiescent state, become fixed and immoveabte 

 when the animal is enraged. When moving through dense jungles, rhinoceri 

 carry their heads low, ajul p'/nigh their way through the matted and entangled 

 vegetation. 



463. Wliy are the ey& of the rhinoceros placed so low down 

 in ike head? 



Because, from the great bulk of the body, the range of sight 

 would be much more limited were they placed higher in the head 

 at a point having a more restricted orbit of motion. Set upon a 

 lengthened axis, every partial turn of the head extends the range 

 of sight 



464. Why are the ears of the rhinoceros very moveable and 

 quick of motion ? 



Because, notwithstanding the advantageous position of the eyes, 

 from the great bulk of the body, and low position of the head, the 

 range of sight is more restricted than in other animals. The 

 rhinoceros, therefore, relies to a great extent upon the sense 

 of hearing ; the ears are, consequently, exceedingly sensitive, and 

 endowed with moveable powers, which enable them to be instantly 

 turned to the point of danger. This mobility of the ears is all the 

 more remarkable when we consider the hardness of the general 

 covering of the rhinoceros. 



465. Wliy does the skin of the rhinoceros exhibit numerous 

 folds ? 



Dr. Parsons observes that if the head and inflexible skin of the 

 rhinoceros were continued all over the creature, as the skins of 

 other animals, without any folds, he could not bend any way, nor 

 perform any necessary action ; but that suppleness in the skins of 

 other quadrupeds which renders them flexible in all parts, is very 

 well compensated in this animal by those folds ; for, since it was 

 necessary his skin should be hard for his defence, it was a noble 

 contrivance that his skin should be so soft and smooth underneath 



