THE RHINASTER, OR BORELE. 



757 



considered very unsafe to fire at the animal unless the hunter is mounted on a good horse 

 or provided with an accessible place of refuge. An old experienced hunter said that he 

 would rather face fifty lions than one wounded Borele ; but Mr. Oswell, the well-known 

 African sportsman, always preferred to shoot the Rhinoceros on foot. The best place 

 to aim is just behind the shoulder, as if the lungs are wounded the animal very soon 

 dies. There is but little blood externally, as the thick loose skin covers the bullet-hole, 

 and prevents any outward effusion. When mortally wounded the Rhinoceros generally 

 drops on its knees. 



It is at all times a rather savage beast, and is apt to quarrel with its own kind. 

 Mr. Anderson mentions a curious battle of which he was an eye-witness, where four of 

 these animals engaged furiously with each other. Two of them he contrived to shoot, 



RHINASTER, OR BORELE.- Rhinoceros bicornis. 



and found that one was absolutely unfit for food, being covered with festering wounds 

 which had been received in former encounters. The flesh of this animal is tolerably 

 good, but that of the black species is rather tough, and possesses a bitter and unpleasant 

 flavor, in consequence of the food on which the animal lives. The white species feeds 

 almost exclusively on grass, and its flesh is remarkably good and tender. The Borele 

 is a nocturnal animal, rousing himself from sleep at dark, and proceeding straightway to 

 the nearest pool. Having refreshed himself, he takes long journeys in search of food, 

 and returns to his temporary home soon after sunrise. When sleeping, he lies so still, 

 that he may easily be mistaken for a fragment of dark rock. 



As the eyes are set deeply in the head of the Rhinoceros, it is unable to see objects 

 directly in its front if they are at any distance ; its sight being hindered by the horns. 

 But the hearing and scent of the creature are marvellously acute, and so wary is the 

 animal, that even when feeding it will constantly halt, raise its ears, snuff the wind, and 

 will not return to its occupation until its fears have been allayed. 



