RHINOCEROS-HUNTING. 427 



The rhinoceros is hunted in various manners. One of the 

 most approved plans is to stalk the animal, either when feeding 

 or reposing. If the sportsman keep well under the wind, and 

 there be the least cover, he has no difficulty in approaching the 

 beast within easy range, when, if the ball be well directed, it is 

 killed on the spot. But by far the most convenient way of 

 destroying the animal is to shoot it from a cover or a screen, when 

 it comes to the pool to slake its thirst. Occasionally it is also 

 taken in pitfalls. Contrary to common belief, a leaden ball 

 (though spelter is preferable) will easily find its way through 

 the hide of the African rhinoceros, but it is necessary to be 

 within thirty or forty paces of the brute, and desirable to have 

 a double charge of powder. The most deadly part to aim at is 

 j ust behind the shoulder ; a ball through the centre of the 

 lobes of the lungs is certain to cause almost instantaneous death. 

 A shot in the head never or rarely proves fatal, as the brain, 

 which, in proportion to the bulk of the animal, does not attain 

 the three-hundredth part of the size of the human cerebrum, is 

 protected, besides its smallness, by a prodigious case of bone, 

 hide, and horn. However severely wounded the rhinoceros may 

 be, he seldom bleeds externally. This is attributable in part, no 

 doubt, to the great thickness of the hide and its elasticity, which 

 occasions the hole caused by the bullet nearly to close up, as 

 also from the hide not being firmly attached to the body, but 

 constantly moving. 



From what has been related of the fury of the rhinoceros, 

 its pursuit must evidently be attended with considerable 

 danger, and thus the annals of the wild sports of Southern 

 Africa are full of hair- breadth escapes from its terrific charge.' 

 Once Mr. Oswell, having lodged a ball in the body of a huge 

 white rhinoceros, was surprised to see the beast, instead of 

 seeking safety in flight, as is generally the case with this in- 

 offensive species, suddenly stop short, and having eyed him 

 curiously for a second or two, walk slowly towards him. 

 Though never dreaming of danger, he instinctively turned his 

 horse's head away ; but strange to say, this creature, usually so 

 docile, now absolutely refused to give him his head. When at 

 last he did so, it was too late, for although the rhinoceros had 

 only been walking, the distance was now so small that contact 

 Avas unavoidable. In another moment the brute bent low his 



