360 THE RHINOCEROS. 



the olfactory nerves, is not greater than that of 

 a hog, which we know to be indifferent ; it keeps 

 company with the tiger, only because they both 

 frequent watery places in the burning climates 

 where they are bred ; and as to its rough tongue, 

 that is so far from the truth, that no animal of 

 near its size has so soft a one. " I have often 

 felt it myself," says Ladvocat, in his description 

 of this animal ; " it is smooth, soft, and small, 

 like that of a dog ; and to the feel it appears as 

 if one passed the hand over velvet. I have often 

 seen it lick a young man's face who kept it ; and 

 both seemed pleased with the action." 



The rhinoceros which was shown at London in 

 1739, and described by Dr Parsons, had been sent 

 from Bengal. Though it was very young, not 

 being above two years old, yet the charge of its 

 carriage and food from India cost near a thousand 

 pounds. It was fed with rice, sugar, and hay : 

 It was daily supplied with seven pounds of rice, 

 mixed with three of sugar, divided into three 

 portions ; it was given great quantities of hay 

 and grass, which it chiefly preferred ; its drink 

 was water, which it took in great quantities. It 

 was of a gentle disposition, and permitted itself 

 to be touched and handled by all visitors, never 

 attempting mischief, except when abused, or 

 when hungry ; in such a case there was no me- 

 thod of appeasing its fury, but by giving it some- 

 thing to eat. When angry, it would jump up 

 against the walls of its room with great violence, 

 and make many efforts to escape ; but seldom at- 

 tempted to attack its keeper, and was always sub-. 



