THE RHINOCEROS 267 



The hide of the Rhinoceros was at one time supposed to 

 be bullet-proof. Though it is very thick and solid, the 

 animal may be shot almost as easily as an ox. When dried, 

 the skin is remarkably hard, and in India, particularly, it is 

 used in the construction of shields. The skin, dense as 

 it is, is far from being insensible, for the animal is often 

 infested by ticks, the stings of which cause the Rhinoceros 

 to indulge in mud baths whenever the opportunity arises. 

 The animal is mostly nocturnal, and its food is entirely 

 vegetable. 



Notwithstanding its apparently clumsy shape, the 



SKELETOM OF THE RHIN 7 OCEROS. 



Rhinoceros is swift of foot to an unexpected degree. 

 When hunting the Keitloa Rhinoceros of Africa, Sir 

 Samuel Baker found it difficult to overtake the animal, 

 although he was mounted on a particularly good horse. 

 The Arab hunters assured him that the Keitloa was never 

 killed with the sword except after a long and fatiguing 

 chase, and that even when the animal was brought to bay 

 two hunters were required one to distract its attention, 

 while the other hamstrung it from behind. Even then the 

 contest is not always ended, for the Rhinoceros can run 

 well on three legs, and will unexpectedly turn upon its foes 

 just when it appears to be disabled. 



