RHINOCEROS. 39 



ful, that the persons employed found the greatest dif- 

 ficulty in performing their operations. 



The other rhinoceros exhibited at Exeter 'Change, 

 >vas considerably smaller than the former. It vva 

 brought over in the year 1799, and was purchased by 

 an agent of the Emperor of Germany, for 10001. but 

 it died in a stable-yard, in Drury-lane, about twelve 

 months, after its arrival in this country* and two 

 nionths after it was sold by Mr. Pidcock. This ani- 

 mal is supposed to be the unicorn of the ancients. It 

 was known to the Romans at an early period, aiud 

 Augustus caused one to be exhibited in his triumph 

 over Cleopatra. 



The flesh of the rhinoceros is esteemed excellent 

 by Indians and Tvegroes. Kolben says, that he ha? 

 often eaten it with pleasure; but the skin is the most 

 valuable part, as it makes the hardest and best leather 

 of any in the world. In the countries where the rhi- 

 noceros is found, its horn, and indeed almost every 

 part of its bodV, i-i esteemed an antidote against poi- 

 son, as well as a remedy against various diseases. 

 These virtues, however, are doubtless no more than 

 imaginary. The period of this animal's life is sup- 

 posed to be aSout eighty years; but this, and its time 

 of gestation are equally uncertain. 



The double-horned rhinoceros is extremely rare, 

 and its existence was long considered as fabulous, or 

 at least, doubtful, until it was discovered at the Cape 

 of Good Hope, by Dr. Sparrman, who has published 

 a most exact anatomical account of this before-unde- 

 ' scried animal, which, however, does not appear ma- 

 terially to dilier from that of which I have just given 

 a description, except in the circumstance of having 

 two horns, and in the appearance of its skin, which, 

 instead of being covered .with armour like folds, has 

 merely a slight wrinkle across the shoulders, and on 

 the hinder parts. 



Mr. Bruce's account of the manners of the two- 

 horned rhinoceros, is particularly worthy your atten- 

 tion. He observes, that " besides the trees capable 

 of most resistance, there are in the vast forests withia, 



