413 



of the rhinoceros. From the form of the pelvis, it may be concluded, 

 that the belly of the animal was large, and hence that its food consisted 

 of vegetables. 



The pubis and ischium are wanting in the skeleton ; and, as M. Cu- 

 vier supposes, were lost : but if, on the contrary, this defect is natural, 

 an approach to it will be found in the two- fingered ant-eater, in which 

 the bones of the pubis are not united in the fore part. 



The enormous thickness of the thigh-bone has been already noticed. 

 The tibia and fibula are united at both ends, and yield together a vast 

 surface. But one toe, armed with a claw, is seen in the hind-foot of the 

 skeleton. In this respect M. Cuvier thinks there must exist room for 

 doubt, since only two others are shown without claws : and his anato- 

 mical researches have taught him, that it is a rule without, hitherto, any 

 known exception, that all the clawed animals have five fingers, existing 

 either outwardly or within the skin, or reduced to their simple bony 

 rudiments. 



The tail is wanting in the skeleton ; and the smallness of the posterior 

 face of the os sacrum gives reason for believing that it was very short in 

 this animal. 



From a general view of the skeleton of this animal, so completely pre- 

 served, we are able to form well-founded conjectures as to the nature of 

 the animal itself. 



His teeth, M. Cuvier observes, prove that he lived on vegetables; 

 and his fore-feet, robust and armed with sharp claws, point out that roots 

 were his chief objects of search. His claws supplied him with arms 

 sufficient for his defence. His progress was not swift, nor was it requi- 

 site that it should be, since he was not under the necessity of flying or of 

 pursuing. 



It would then, M. Cuvier adds, be very difficult to find, in the orga- 

 nization of this animal, the causes of his destruction ; and yet, if he still 

 exists, where can he be ? or can he have escaped from all the researches 

 of huntsmen and naturalists. 



