THE RHINOCEROS 269 



animal will generally retreat without hazarding an 

 encounter. 



The capture of a specimen for the Zoological Gardens 

 exemplifies the fear in which the Rhinoceros is held by 

 the elephant. The animal, one of the Hairy-eared variety 

 (Rhinoceros lasotis) of Chittagong, was found stuck in a 

 quicksand, and, after much trouble, was secured by ropes 

 and tied to a tree. In order to remove her eight elephants 

 were brought to the spot. As soon as they saw the 

 Rhinoceros they betrayed great alarm, and when urged 

 towards her they turned round and ran away. However, 

 at last they were induced to approach, and succeeded in 

 bringing her safely to the stockade which had been 

 prepared for her. 



The unrooted horn of the Rhinoceros does not at first 

 sight appear to be a very formidable weapon ; but from its 

 position, together with the lower stature of the Rhinoceros, 

 it gives advantages in striking the under parts of its larger 

 antagonist. 



Several Europeans mounted on elephants came up 

 with a party of seven Rhinoceroses, led by a large and 

 powerful animal. When the leader charged the hunters, 

 the elephants wheeled round and received the blow of the 

 Rhinoceros's horn on the hindquarters, and so powerful 

 was the concussion that in more than one instance the 

 elephant and its rider were brought to the ground. In 

 the case of a contest with smaller animals the Rhinoceros 

 more often employs its sharply-pointed lower tusks. 



Of other Asiatic species, there is the Sumatran Rhinoceros 

 (Rhinoceros siunatrensis), which has at least two distinguish- 

 ing features. Its body is covered with brown or black hair, 

 and it possesses two horns, the hinder and smaller one 

 being placed between the eyes. It is a smaller animal 

 than the foregoing, usually rising only to four and a half 

 feet at the shoulder, but nevertheless attaining a weight 

 of two thousand pounds. The Sumatran Rhinoceros is 

 likely to suffer extermination, chiefly on account of the 

 Chinese demand for its horns, which are ground into 

 powder, that is considered a sure remedy for certain 

 diseases. 



