184 TWO-HORNED AFRICAN RHINOCEROS. 



against wind, and they do sometimes become 

 furious, and attack their pursuers ; but the cool 

 disposition of the native hunters, and their great 

 agility, protects them. They allow the animal to 

 rush impetuously on, and, when near, by shifting 

 nimbly aside, avoid the charge, arid have time, 

 in their turn, to attack him, and to reload their 

 muskets. They are often killed with a single 

 ball, and one individual thinks it no hazard to 

 act alone against them. In South Africa they 

 are much esteemed as food, which Burchell agrees 

 in considering excellent, much resembling beef. 

 The tongue is considered the most delicate part. 

 When an animal of this description is killed, the 

 neighbours all flock around it, and encamp by 

 its side, until they have consumed it entirely, 

 being scarcely so provident as to dry any part of 

 the flesh for after use. The bushmen are insati- 

 able. They broil, eat, and talk, and no sooner 

 have they finished one slice than they turn to 

 the carcass, and cut another. According to Bruce, 

 the Rhinoceros is also used as food in North 

 Africa, and much esteemed by the Shangalla. 

 The sole of the feet is here reckoned the part 

 most fitting for the epicure. Of the skin, 

 shields are sometimes made as in India, which 

 are said to be capable of turning a musket 

 ball ; but the most useful and common application 



