THE STORY OF THE RHINOCEROS. 



273 



terrific gashes. All are mainly abroad at night, and while some resemble 

 the tapirs in frequenting tall grass-jungles and swampy districts, others 

 seem to prefer more or less open plains. Their food is entirely vegetable; 

 but whereas some species live almost exclusively on grass, the food of others 

 consists mainly of twigs and small bouglis of trees. At the present day 

 these animals are restricted to South-Eastern Asia and Africa. 



The single-horned rhinoceros is not exceeded in size by any land 

 animal except the elephant, and in strength and power it gives place to none. 

 Its nose is armed with a formidable weapon, a hard and solid horn, some- 



GREAT INDIAN RHINOCEROS. 



times more than three feet in length, and, at the base, eighteen inches in 

 circumference; and with this it is able to defend itself against the attack of 

 every ferocious animal. 



The body of the rhinoceros is defended by a skin so hard as to be almost 

 impenetrable, except in the under parts, by either knife or spear. 



Some hunters have created the impression that the hide of the rhinoceros 

 will turn a leaden bullet and sometimes an iron one. This is a popular error, 

 for a common leaden ball will pierce the hide at a distance of thirty or 

 forty paces, especially if a double charge of powder be used, which is the 



