130 RHINOCEROS. 



horn, the other with two, on its snout. Next to the ele- 

 phant, it is the most powerful of quadrupeds; and the 

 most bulky, except the hippopotamus. Its length is com- 

 monly twelve feet, its height six or seven, and its circum- 

 ference nearly equal to its length. 



Except in strength, however, Nature has not endowed 

 the rhinoceros with any qualities that exalt it above the 

 ordinary rank of quadrupeds. Its principal resources 

 consist in its moveable lip and the offensive weapon on its 

 nose, which latter is peculiar to the kind. This is indeed 

 a very formidable instrument of annoyance or defence : 

 it is solid throughout ; and situated so advantageously, that 

 it protects the whole visage, and enables the animal to assail 

 its foes with irresistible effect. It frequently rips open the 

 oelly of its antagonist, and is dreaded by the tiger more 

 than the elephant itself. 



The body and limbs are covered with a blackish skin, 

 so impenetrable as to resist the claws of the most ferocious 

 animals, as well as the spear and the shot of hunters. 

 Being incapable of either extension or contraction, it is 

 rolled up in large folds at the neck, the shoulders, and the 

 rump, in order to facilitate the motion of the head and 

 limbs ; which last are massy, and furnished with large feet 

 armed with three toes. 



The horn of the rhinoceros sometimes measures nearly 

 four feet in length, by six or seven inches diameter at the 

 base. It is commonly of a brown or olive colour, and is 

 more esteemed by the Indians than the ivory of the ele- 

 phant ; not on account of real advantage derived from it, 

 but for certain medicinal qualities which it possesses, or 

 rather is fancied to possess. 



Without being either ferocious or carnivorous, the rhi- 

 noceros is perfectly untractable. It is merely among large 

 animals what the common hog is among small ; temerarious 

 and brutal, without intelligence, sentiment, or docility. It 

 seems even to be subject to paroxysms of fury which no- 

 thing can mitigate ; for one that Emanuel, king of Portu- 

 gal, sent to the Pope in 1513, destroyed the vessel which 



