14 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



large as a Pig ; it has no horn at birth, but otherwise is a very perfect 

 miniature of its parents. It grows rapidly at first, at any rate but 

 is a long-lived animal, believed to live for a hundred years. 



The Rhinoceros is a much more active creature than would be 

 supposed from its ponderous build ; it has a rapid if heavy trot, and 

 can even gallop. In the ordinary way, however, it is not very 

 energetic ; it easily finds food and shelter in the great grass-jungles 

 it frequents, and it much enjoys wallowing in the mud, like so many 

 tropical animals. Its range in India has greatly diminished in his- 

 torical times ; in the time of the Emperor Baber, in the sixteenth 

 century, it extended to Peshawur, and it used comparatively recently 

 to be found along the base of the Himalayas. Its last stronghold 

 is in the plains of Assam, and it is to be hoped that the Indian 

 Government will be able to secure its protection there indefinitely. 

 It is a harmless animal, rarely attacking man even when provoked, 

 and, though it is greatly feared by Elephants, these beasts are so 

 nervous in disposition that their dread of any animal must not be 

 taken as proof that it is a natural enemy, as the Rhinoceros has 

 been credited with being. 



There is also a certain amount of positive utility in the Rhino- 

 ceros, from the fact that its flesh is considered good food even by 

 Europeans, while its heavy skin can be turned to a variety of uses 

 when cured. It thrives well in captivity, and lives for many years, 

 but, like all Rhinoceroses, is scarce in the animal trade, and very 

 expensive accordingly. During all the time I was in Calcutta seven 

 years our dealers were trying to get hold of a live Rhinoceros of 

 any sort, but not a single specimen came to hand. 



THE SONDAIC RHINOCEROS 



{Rhinoceros sondaicus) 



THIS is the only other kind of Rhinoceros with one horn ; like the 

 last, it is found in India, but has a much wider range altogether, 

 extending from Eastern Bengal through Burma and the isles to 

 Borneo. Though as tall as the other species, it is not so heavy, and 

 has a smaller head ; moreover, the skin, although falling in folds, as 



