RHINOCEROSES. 251 



the object of its anger or dislike with almost incon- 

 ceivable fury. I have already contradicted the assertion 

 that it seeks the elephant for the purpose of giving 

 him battle, on which occasion it was said to sharpen 

 its horn against a stone just before the engagement. 

 According to Mr. Gordon Cumming's account, they 

 inhabit the same neighbourhood without exhibiting any 

 particular enmity towards each other. 



As far as we know at present, there are six species, 

 all of which inhabit Africa and India, including Java 

 and Sumatra. They have three toes on each foot, 

 covered with a hoof. The sides of their body project 

 in a remarkable degree ; their skin is enormously thick, 

 knotty in its surface, and has but a few hairs scattered 

 over it. The Indian rhinoceroses have enormous folds 

 of skin hanging upon the shoulders, haunches, neck, 

 and thighs, looking as if each fold covered a thick 

 rope. The ears of all are erect ; the eyes small, and near 

 the nose ; the tail short ; they carry their heads so low 

 that they almost touch the earth. They plough up 

 the ground with their horn, scattering stones and soil 

 without any apparent motive ; and few things can resist 

 the impetuous force which they put forth when they 

 rush upon an object which has excited their fury. Their 

 smell and hearing are extremely acute, so that it is 

 difficult to approach them ; but as their sight is very 

 limited, they may, when they are in pursuit of an 

 enemy, be avoided by slipping on one side. 



The Javanese and Sumatran species are smaller, 

 lighter, and consequently less ferocious and powerful 

 than the others. Both in Africa and India there is a 

 superstition with regard to the horns of all the species, 

 which the natives declare arc sensibly acted on by 



