812 NATURAL H13T0RY OF AFRICA. 



tion and extended use of fireanns have rendered the war* 

 like services of these huge creatures of comparatively little 

 avail ; but their great strength and sobriety of conduct ren« 

 der them highly efficient, indeed indispensable, in eastern 

 countries as beasts of burden, and as accessaries in the 

 sports of the field. 



It is not yet clearly ascertained whether the elephants of 

 the eastern shores of Africa are the same as those of the 

 interior and western districts, or whether they do not exliibit 

 a closer approximation to the Asiatic species. We shall 

 conclude by observing that the size of the elephant has been 

 much exaggerated. Dr. Hill, for example, asserts, that, 

 when full grown, it is from seventeen to twenty feet high. 

 One-half of the latter height is probably nearer the truth, 

 even for an individual of more than usual size, and twelve 

 feet may be stated as the extreme dimensions. 



Second in size, though widely distant in sense, is the 

 rhinoceros, an animal of a sour and stubborn disposition, 

 and in every way less trustworthy than the elephant. Of 

 this genus there are several species, two of which (if R. 

 Burchellii is entitled to specific distinction) inhabit Africa. 

 The others are native to India, and the great islands of Java 

 and Sumatra. The African species {R. Africanus) is armed 

 with a couple of horns ; its coat is not distinguished by vo- 

 luminous folds, and it wants the incisive teeth. The sense 

 of sight is said to be rather defective in the rhinoceros : 

 those of smell nnd hearing are acute. 



Another animal, characteristic of, though not entirely 

 pecuhar to Africa, is the hyrax or Cape marmot. This spe- 

 cies is supposed by some biblical annotators to be the cony 

 of the Scriptures. It inhabits the rocky territories of 

 many parts of Africa, and occurs, with little variation in 

 its external aspect, in Syria. With the exception of the 

 horns, it bears a strong resemblance to a rhinoceros in 

 miniature. 



The Ethiopian hog {Phascnchcerus Africanus) is a fierce 

 and savage animal, allied to the wild boar in its habits, but 

 distinguished by a pair of large lobes or wattles placed be- 

 neath the eyes. The tusks of the upper jaw bend upwards 

 in a semicircular manner towards the forehead. When 

 attacked, it is apt to become furious, and, rushing on ita 



