254 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



this large leader charged the hunters, the first elephants, 

 in place of using their tusks as weapons, wheeled round 

 and received the blow of the rhinoceros' horn on their 

 hind-quarters ; and so powerful was the concussion that 

 it brought them instantly to the ground with their 

 riders ; and as soon as they could get on their feet 

 again, the brute was ready to repeat the attack, and 

 was certain to produce another fall ; and in this manner 

 did the contest continue until four of the seven were 

 killed, when the rest made good their retreat. 



HORSES. 



ALTHOUGH slill lingering among the Pachydermata, I 

 have now left behind me the ponderous and unwieldy 

 forms which inhabit the wild and wooded tracts of the 

 earth's surface, and come to the group called Solipeda, 

 from the one round and horny hoof which encircles all 

 the feet. One toe is apparent, and two points on each 

 side, under the skin, represent lateral toes; besides 

 which, there is, underneath, a soft pad, or what is 

 generally termed the frog, which touches the ground 

 when the animal walks. 



Strength, beauty, and activity, are all combined in 

 Horses. Their elegantly-shaped head, with its long- 

 pointed cars and large eyes, is carried high or thrown 

 back ; and while they rapidly glance into the horizon 

 to look for friends or foes, their well-defined nostrils 

 sniff fresh vigour from the passing breeze. But this is 

 not all : these same cars laid flat back upon their head 

 tell you that they have been affronted, and mean to be 

 revenged for the insult ; when they are upright, they 



