THE JAVANESE RHINOCEROS. 



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In every species of Rhinoceros the sight appears to be rather imperfect, the animal 

 being unable to see objects which are exactly in its front. The scent and hearing, 

 however, are very acute, and seem to warn the animal of tin: approach of dan 



The Asiatic species of Rhinoceros are remarkable for the- heavy folds into which the 

 skin is gathered, and which hang massively over the shoulders, throat, Hanks, and hind 

 quarters. Upon the abdomen the skin is comparatively soft, and can be pierced by a .spear 

 which would be harmlessly repelled from the thick folds of hide upon the upper portions 

 of the body. In the INDIAN RHINOCEROS this weight of hide is especially conspicuous the 

 skin forming great flaps that can be easily lifted up by the hand. In a tamed state the 

 Rhinoceros is pleased to be caressed on the softer skin under the thick hide, and in the 

 wild state it suffers sadly from the parasitic insects that creep beneath the flaps, and lead 

 the poor animal a miserable life, until they are stifled in the muddy compost with which 



INDIAN RHlNOCEROS.-/?/f//ioceros unicornis. 



the Rhinoceros loves to envelop its body. The horn of the Indian species is large in 

 width, but inconsiderable in height, being often scarcely higher than its diameter. Yet 

 with this short, heavy weapon, the animal can do terrible execution, and is said, upon 

 the authority of Captain Williamson, to repel the attack of an adult male Elephant. 



The height of this animal when full-grown is rather more than five feet, but the 

 average height seems scarcely to exceed four feet. In color it is a deep brown-black, 

 tinged with a purple hue, which is most perceptible when the animal has recently left its 

 bath. The color of the young animal is much paler than that of the mother, and 

 partakes of a pinky hue. 



The JAVANESE RHINOCEROS is not so large as its Indian relation, the skin-folds are 

 much less conspicuous, and are arranged in a different manner. The hide, too, is covered 

 with certain angular markings, interspersed with short hairs, and its limbs are proportion- 



