332 NATURAL HISTORY. 



as to resist the tusks of young males. He relates that the apparent bluntness of the horn of the 

 Indian Rliinoceros, which is about as broad at the base as it is high, would make it appear a somewhat 

 insignificant weapon, and inadequate to penetrate any hard or tough substance. This, however, we are 

 informed, is not the case, Elephants often being found dead, obviously, it is stated, from the wounds 

 received from the horn of the Rhinoceros ; and in one case, as is related by Williamson, a large male 

 Elephant and Rhinoceros were found both dead together, the Elephant's abdomen having been ripped 

 open, and the Rhinoceros's horn found transfixed beneath the ribs. Williamson also states that Major 

 Lally, an officer of the Indian army, whose veracity is beyond question, while engaged in one of bis 

 hunting expeditions, and having arrived at the summit of a low range of hills, was suddenly presented 

 with a distinct view of a most desperate engagement between a Rhinoceros and a large male Elephant, 

 the latter, to all appearance, protecting a small herd which were retiring in a state of alarm. The 

 Elephant was beaten, and decamped, followed by the Rhinoceros, into a heavy jungle, where much 

 roaring was heard, but nothing could be discerned. From this we may conclude that the habit which 

 Pliny describes of the Rhinoceros ripping open the Elephant is confirmed by modern observation. 



THE JAVAN RHINOCEROS (R. sondaicus = It. javanus of Cuvier) is a smaller representative of the 

 Indian Rhinoceros, with the skin not so coarsely granulated, and the folds not so strongly marked. 

 It is covered with a sparse growth of bristles, and its head and limbs are longer and more slender in 

 their proportions than in the latter species. It inhabits Java and the Malay Peninsula, and the 

 Sunderbunds of Bengal, living on herbage and the branches of trees. 



THE SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS (7?. sumatrensis of Cuvier) is the more commonly known of the two 

 two-horned species inhabiting Asia, Its head is armed with two obtusely- pointed horns, its body is 

 covered with bristles, and the folds of the skin are deep, and especially that behind the shoulder. 

 The folds on the neck, however, are not so distinct as in the one-horned species. 



THE HAIRY-EARED RHINOCEROS (R. lasiotis) has been confounded by naturalists with the 

 Sumatran species, until Dr. Sclater showed from the comparison of these two animals, in the 

 Zoological Gardens, that they were specifically distinct. The former is characterised by the 

 long hairy fringe to the ears, by the covering of long fine reddish hair on the body, the smoother 

 and more finely granulated skin, and the shorter tail. The one in Regent's Park was cap- 

 tured in January, 1868, under very singular circumstances, as described in the following extract 

 from a Calcutta newspaper : " The quiet station of Chittagong has been lately enlivened by the 

 presence of a Rhinoceros. It appears that about a month ago some natives came into Chittagong and 

 stated that a Rhinoceros had been found by them in a quicksand, and was quite exhausted with the 

 efforts to relieve herself. They had attached two ropes to the animal's neck, and with the assistance 

 of about 200 men dragged her out, and keeping her taut between two ropes they eventually made her 

 fast to a tree. The next morning, however, they found the Rhinoceros so refreshed, and making such 

 efforts to free herself, that they were frightened, and made application to the magistrate of Chittagong 

 for protection. The same evening Captain Hood and Mr. H. W. Wickes started with eight Elephants 

 to secure the prize, and after a march of about sixteen hours to the south of Chittagong they came up 

 with the animal. The Elephants, at the first sight of the Rhinoceros, were very much afraid, and bolted 

 one and all, but after some exertion they were brought back and made to stand by. A rope was now 

 with some trouble attached to the animal's hind leg, and secured to an Elephant. At this juncture the 

 Rhinoceros roared ; the Elephants again bolted, and had it not been for the rope slipping from the leg 

 of the Rhinoceros, that limb might have been pulled from the body. The Rhinoceros was, however, 

 eventually secured with ropes between Elephants, and marched into Chittagong in perfect health. 

 Two large rivers had to be crossed first the Sungoo River, where the animal was towed between 

 Elephants, for she could not swim, and could only just keep her head above water by paddling with 

 the fore-feet like a Pig ; and, secondly, the Kurnafoolie River, when the ordinary cattle ferry-boat was 

 used. Thousands of natives thronged the march in, which occupied a few days, the temporary bamboo 

 bridges on the Government road invariably falling in with the numbers collected thereon to watch the 

 Rhinoceros crossing the stream below ; and sometimes the procession was at least a mile in length. 

 The ' Begum,' as the Rhinoceros has been named, is now free from all ropes, and kept within a 

 stockade enclosure, having therein a good bath excavated in the ground, and a comfortable covered 

 shed attached. She is already very tame, and will take plantain leaves or chupatties from the hand, 



