292 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CUAP. 



of equal length. It is quite jwssible that some may be equal, 

 where the anterior horn has been ground away by long service ; 

 but as a rule the anterior horn is considerably longer, and always 

 different in shape, being rounded from its broad base, and continu- 

 ing always round until it terminates in a sharp point. 



The posterior horn is flattened at the sides, and rises with a 

 sharp edge along the ridge, with a raised centre, which forms a 

 point. 



All rhinoceros horns are of the same texture, being simply 

 agglutinated hairs, which, if cut in a thin transverse section and 

 placed beneath a microscope, exhibit the capillary tubes glued 

 together by a horny substance into a solid body. There is no 

 material that can equal in toughness the horn of rhinoceros, and it 

 has always been in request from time immemorial for various 

 useful and other imaginary purposes. The belief that a cup 

 formed of rhinoceros horn will detect poison is very common, and 

 is thoroughly accepted by the Arabs of the Soudan. I have three 

 in my possession, mounted in silver, which were presented to me, 

 when leaving Africa, by the great sheik of the deserts, Hussein 

 Khalifa Pasha. 



The horns are not attached to the skull, but they are merely 

 seated upon the hard and thick bone, which forms a foundation, 

 slightly convex, above the nose. The skin is immensely thick at 

 the base from which the horn springs, and it appears bristly and 

 rough, to a degree that would suggest gradual development into 

 horn, which is actually the case. 



When a rhinoceros has been killed, and the head has been 

 exposed in the sun to dry, the horns will fall off upon the third day 

 if struck lightly with a stick, and they will expose the foundation 

 upon which they rested ; this closely resembles the bottom of an 

 artichoke when the prickly leaves have been removed. 



Although the horns would appear unsuitable for rough work, 

 being merely attachments to the skin, they are most powerful 

 weapons of offence. It has been asserted that the rhinoceros will 

 kill an elephant ; this is highly probable, if it had an opportunity 

 of striking it in the belly or the flank by an unexpected attack ; 

 but no rhinoceros would have the remotest chance in actual conflict 

 with an ordinary bull elephant, as the weight and strength would be 

 immeasurably superior, in addition to the length and power of the 

 two tusks. Elephants are much afraid of rhinoceros, but they are 

 almost equally timid with other animals, while the rhinoceros is a 

 sullen, stupid brute that is afraid of nothing. 



I have never seen more than one species of rhinoceros east of 



