QUADRUPEDS. 43 



Inferior in size to the elephant, and of a much more re- 

 stricted capacity, the rhinoceros (Rh. Indicus, Cuv.) is yet 

 of sufficient dimensions to form a very imposing feature in 

 the zoology of the East. There are three species of this 

 animal in Asiatic countries. The Indian and Javanese 

 have each a single horn, while the Sumatran is "doubly 

 armed" like the African species. It is to the first of these 

 that our present observations may be understood to apply. 



A young rhinoceros, preserved in the Garden of Plants, 

 was habitually gentle, obedient to its keepers, and extremely 

 sensible of kindness. At times, however, he exhibited parr 

 oxysms of violent rage, during which it was necessary to 

 keep beyond his reach, as it would have been but a poor con- 

 solation to those whom he might have impaled, to be in- 

 formed that for the most part his intentions were innocent. 

 He was generally calmed by a liberal supply of bread and 

 fruit, and as soon as he saw those who were in the habit of 

 feeding him, he would stretch his muzzle towards them, 

 open his mouth, and push out his tongue. His proportions 

 were thicker, and still more unwieldy than those of the ele- 

 phant. His height was about 5 feet 6 inches, and his length 

 nearly 8 feet, and his whole body was covered by a thick 

 nearly naked tuberculous skin, disposed in irregular folds. 

 Its natural colour appeared to be gray, tinted with violet ; 

 but as it was apt to crack, it was kept lubricated, which 

 altered the natural hue. His senses, with the exception of 

 that of touch, appeared to be tolerably acute. The follow- 

 ing anecdote is from Grifiith's Animal Kingdom (vol. iii. 

 p.'426) :— 



" The power of this species is frequently displayed to a 

 surprising degree when hunting it. A few years ago, a 

 party of Europeans, with their native attendants and ele- 

 phants, when out on the dangerous sport of hunting these 

 animals, met with a herd of seven of them, led, as it ap- 

 peared, by one larger and stronger than the rest. When 

 the large rhinoceros charged the hunters, the leading ele- 

 phants, instead of using their tusks or weapons, which in 

 ordinary cases they are ready enough to do, wheeled round, 



ledge, vol. it, entitled The Menageries, where a complete and very ample 

 account is given of the ancient and modern history of elephants. ^Ve 

 have availed ourselves of several of the authorities brought forward m 

 that amusing volume. 



