2 7 o HOOFED ANIMALS 



The Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondiacus) is consider- 

 ably more gentle, and is not infrequently tamed by the 

 Malays. The female of this species is almost invariably 

 hornless. 



AFRICAN RHINOCEROS. 



In the several African species the skin flaps are absent, 

 the hide being practically naked and smooth. The 

 commonest of them is the Black Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros 

 bicornis) ; it is also called the Borele or Rhinaster. It is 

 a double-horned animal, the front horn measuring from 

 twenty-two to twenty-eight inches, while the back horn 

 is usually about half that length. The grinding teeth are 

 ridged, for mastication calls for a champing movement, 

 because the general food consists of twigs rather than 

 gras's. The animal is widely distributed, ranging through 

 East and South Africa, from Abyssinia to at least the 

 borders of Cape Colony. 



It is a fierce, quarrelsome, and active animal, with its 

 powers of scent and hearing wonderfully acute. An 

 experienced hunter asserted that he would rather face 

 fifty wounded lions than one wounded Borele. On the 

 other hand, it is often hunted by natives who would not 

 care to engage in the chase of the lion. An enraged Borele 

 has been known to charge at a wagon, striking its horns 

 through the planks, and next scattering the camp fire in all 

 directions. This last is the more remarkable, in that wild 

 beasts are generally afraid of fire. 



The capability of the Rhinoceros for taking care of itself 

 was once witnessed by C. ]. Andersonn. He had wounded 

 an animal severely, but had been unable to prevent it seek- 

 ing cover where it was difficult to follow. Eventually the 

 hunter came up with the Rhinoceros, only to find the par- 

 tially disabled animal was being fiercely attacked by a 

 couple of lions. They mauled and lacerated it severely, 

 but in the end the Rhinoceros beat both of them off. 

 For its gallant fight the hunter would have liked to spare 

 its life, but it was wounded to the death, and a merciful 

 ball put an end to its pain. 



The Keitloa (Rhinoceros keitloa) possesses horns of nearly 



