358 THE RHINOCEROS. 



of the tail ; from six to seven feet high ; and the 

 circumference of its body is nearly equal to its 

 length. It is, therefore, equal to the elephant in 

 bulk ; and if it appears much smaller to the eye, 

 the reason is, that its legs are much shorter. 

 Words can convey but. a very confused idea of 

 this animal's shape, and yet there are few so re- 

 markably formed : Its head is furnished with a 

 horn, growing from the snout, sometimes three 

 feet and a half long ; and but for this, that part 

 would have the appearance of the head of a hog; 

 the upper lip, however, is much longer in propor- 

 tion, ends in a point, is very pliable, serves to 

 collect its food, and deliver it into the mouth : 

 the ears are large, erect, and pointed ; the eyes 

 are small and piercing ; the skin is naked, rough, 

 knotty, and lying upon the body in folds, after a 

 very peculiar fashion : there are two folds very 

 remarkable, one above the shoulders, and an- 

 other over the rump : the skin, which is of a dirty 

 brown colour, is so thick as to turn the edge of a 

 scimitar, and to resist a musket-ball: the belly 

 hangs low ; the legs are short, strong, and thick ; 

 and the hoofs divided into three parts, each 

 pointing forward. 



Such is the general outline of an animal that 

 appears chiefly formidable from the horn growing 

 from its snout, and formed rather for war than 

 with a propensity to engage. This horn is some- 

 times found from three to three feet and a half 

 long, growing from the solid bone, and so dispos- 

 ed as to be managed to the greatest advantage. 

 It is composed of the most solid substance, and 



