ANIMALS. 493 



ed to consider it as a 3'oiiiig one ; iiowever, it died shortly after, 

 and that probably in the course of nature. 



The rhinoceros is a native of the deserts of Asia and Afiica, 

 and is usually found in those extensive forests that are frequent- 

 ed by the elephant and the lion. As it subsists entirely upon 

 vegetable food, it is peaceful and harmless among its fellows of 

 the brute creation ; but, though it never provokes to combat, it 

 equally disdains to fly. It is every way fitted for war, but rests 

 content in the consciousness of its security. It is particularly 

 fond of the prickly branches of trees, and is seen to feed upon 

 such thorny shrubs as would be dangerous to other animals, 

 either to gather or to swallow. The prickly points of these, 

 however, may only serve to give a poignant relish to this ani- 

 mal's palate, and may answer the same grateful ends in season- 

 ing its banquet that spices do in heightening ours. 



In some parts of the kingdom of Asia, where the natives are 

 more desirous of appearing warlike than showing themselves 

 brave, these animals are tamed, and led into the field to strike 

 terror into the enemy ; but they are always an unmanageable and 

 restive animal, and probably more dangerous to the employers 

 than those whom they are brought to oppose. 



The method of taking them is chiefly watching them, till they 

 are found either in some moist or marshy place, where, like hogs, 

 they are fond of sleeping and wallowing. They then destroy 

 the old one with fire-arms ; for no weapons that are thrown by 

 the force of men are capable of entering this animal's hide. If, 

 when the old one is destroyed, there happens to be a cub, they 

 seize and tame it : these animals are sometimes taken in pit-falls 

 covered with green branches, laid in those paths which the rhi- 

 noceros makes in going from the forest to the river side. 



There are some varieties in this animal, as in most others ; 

 some of them are found in Africa with a double horn, one grow- 

 ing above the other.* This weapon, if considered in itself, is 



* The two horned rhinoceros. — This species of the rhinoceros differs from 

 the other in the appearance of its skin ; which instead of vast and regular] y 

 marked folds, reseniblinar armour, has merely a slight wrinkle across the 

 shoulders and the hinder parts, with a few fainter uTinkles on the sides ; so 

 that, in comparison with the common rliiuoceros, it appears almost smootli. 

 The principal distinction, ho^^■ever, consists in the nose being furnished 

 mth two horns, one of wliich is smaller than the other, and situated above 

 it These horns are said to be loose w hen the animal is in a quiet state, but 

 It. 2 T 



