THE RHINOCEROS* 16*3 



It is difficult to convey an accurate idea of this ex- 

 traordinary animal, from the singular appearance pro- 

 duced by the skin, which lies upon the body in large 

 folds, and looks like different coverings of shell, of a 

 dirty brown colour, and so callous as to turn a scymi- 

 tar's edge. From the snout there issues a curved 

 horn, which sometimes grows near four feet in length, 

 with which it is a. match for the fiercest animals, 

 though it is never the first to commence an attack : 

 the form of the head resembles that of a hog ; but the 

 ears are larger, and stand erect : the eyes, though 

 small, are bright and piercing ; and the legs remark- 

 ably strong and thick. 



Many fabulous accounts have been given of this ani- 

 mal, respecting its fierceness as well as strength. The 

 one which was shewn in London in the year seventeen, 

 hundred and thirty-nine, never was out of humour but 

 when ill used, appeared both submissive and attached 

 to his keeper, and seemed perfectly to understand the 

 meaning of his threats. The appetite of this animal, 

 though very young when it left Bengal, was so asto- 

 nishingly great, that it is said the expense of his food 

 and passage amounted to near a thousand pounds. 



The rhinoceros is a native of the deserts of Asia and 

 Africa, and is generally found in forests where the lion 

 and elephant reside. Like the hog, it is fond of wal- 

 lowing in marshy places, and lives entirely upon vege- 

 table food : the horn is said to possess greatmedicinal 

 virtues ; and the thickness of its skin defends it from 

 every attack ; but, if provoked, it is superior to the 

 elephant in strength : when taken young, they are ea- 

 sily tamed; and the Asiatics frequently have them 

 trained for the field ; but they rather serve as marks of 

 ostentation, than for any real advantage and use. 



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