THE GREAT INDIAN RHINOCEROS 



463 



Record Horn of Great Indian Rhinoceros. Shot by Lord Curzon of Kedleston. 



The GREAT INDIAN RHINOCEROS (Rhinoceros unicornis). 



In addition to being the giant among its Asiatic kindred and 

 possessing but a single horn, this species is specially characterised by 

 the form of the folds in its hide, and the large tubercles on the fore- 

 and hind-quarters, which look as though the skin had been fastened 

 to the body by means of rivets. Folds before and behind the 

 shoulder mark off one large triangular shield on each side, while 

 another fold before each thigh separates a large rump -shield ; the 

 saddle-shaped body-shield being defined by the fold behind the 

 shoulder and the one in front of the thigh, both of which extend across 

 the back. Very characteristic, too, are the great folds which form 

 heavy rings of skin round the neck. Although the tubercles are 

 largest on the fore- and hind-quarters, they also occur on other parts 

 of the body. Height at shoulder from 5 feet 8 inches to over 6 feet ; 

 girth, 105 inches. The late Dr. T. C. Jerdon mentions 24 inches as 

 the length of a fine horn. 



