THE RHINOCEROS. 36l 



missive to his threats. It had a peculiar cry, 

 somewhat a mixture between the grunting of a 

 hog and the bellowing of a calf. 



The age of these animals is not well known : 

 it is said by some that they bring forth at three 

 years old, and if we may reason from analogy, it 

 is probable they seldom live till above twenty. 

 That which was shown in London, was said, by 

 its keeper, to be eighteen years old, and even at 

 that age he pretended to consider it as a young 

 one ; however, it died shortly after, and that pro- 

 bably in the course of nature. 



The rhinoceros is a native of the deserts of 

 Asia and Africa, and is usually found in those 

 extensive forests that are frequented by the ele- 

 phant and the lion. As it subsists entirely upon 

 vegetable food, it is peaceful and harmless among 

 its fellows of the brute creation ; but, though it 

 never provokes to combat, it equally disdains to 

 fly. It is every way fitted for war, but rests con- 

 tent in the consciousness of its security. It is 

 particularly fond of the prickly branches of trees, 

 and is seen to feed upon such thorny shrubs as 

 would be dangerous to other animals, either to 

 gather or to swallow. The prickly points of 

 these, however, may only serve to give a poig- 

 nant relish to this animal's palate, and may an- 

 swer the same grateful ends in seasoning its ban- 

 quet, that spices do in heightening ours. 



In some parts of the continent of Asia, where 

 the natives are more desirous of appearing warlike 

 than showing themselves brave, these animals are 

 tamed, and led into the field to strike terror intq 



