RHINOCEROTID& 4 9 



auditory meatus. Nothing is known of the anatomy of the soft 

 parts of either of them. 



Burchell's or the Square-mouthed Rhinoceros (It. simus), sometimes 

 called the White Rhinoceros, though the colour (dark slate) is not 

 materially different from that of the last species, is the largest of 

 the whole group, and differs from all the others in having a square 

 truncated upper lip and a wide, shallow, spatulate symphysis to 

 the lower jaw. In conformity with the structure of the mouth, 

 this species lives entirely by browsing on grass, and is therefore 

 more partial to open countries or districts where there are broad 

 grassy valleys between the tracts of bush. It is only found in 

 Africa south of the Zambesi, and of late years has become ex- 

 tremely scarce, owing to the persecutions of sportsmen ; indeed, 

 the time of its complete extinction cannot be far off. No specimen 

 of this species has ever been brought alive to Europe. Mr. F. C. 

 Selous l gives the following description of its habits from extensive 

 personal observation : 



"The square -mouthed rhinoceros is a huge ungainly -looking 

 beast, with a disproportionately large head, a large male standing 

 6 feet 6 inches at the shoulder. Like elephants and buffaloes they 

 lie asleep during the heat of the day, and feed during the night 

 and in the cool hours of early morning and evening. Their sight 

 is very bad ; but they are quick of hearing, and their scent is very 

 keen ; they are, too, often accompanied by rhinoceros birds, which, 

 by running about their heads, flapping their wings, and screeching 

 at the same time, frequently give them notice of the approach of 

 danger. When disturbed they go off at a swift trot, which soon 

 leaves all pursuit from a man on foot far behind ; but if chased by 

 a horseman they break into a gallop, which they can keep up for 

 some distance. However, although they run very swiftly, when 

 their size and heavy build is considered, they are no match for an 

 average good horse. They are, as a rule, very easy to shoot on 

 horseback, as, if one gallops a little in front of and on one side of 

 them, they will hold their course, and come sailing past, offering 

 a magnificent broadside shot, while under similar circumstances a 

 prehensile -lipped rhinoceros will usually swerve away in such a 

 manner as only to present his hind-quarters for a shot. When 

 either walking or running, the square-mouthed rhinoceros holds its 

 head very low, its nose nearly touching the ground. When a small 

 calf accompanies its mother it always runs in front, and she appears 

 to guide it by holding the point of her horn upon the little animal's 

 rump ; and it is perfectly wonderful to note how in all sudden 

 changes of pace, from a trot to a gallop or vice versd, the same 

 position is always exactly maintained. During the autumn and 

 winter months (i.e. from March to August) the square-mouthed 

 1 Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, p. 726. 



