760 THE HYRAX. 



The KOBAOBA, or Long-horned White Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros Oswettit) is much rarer 

 than either of the preceding species, and is found far in the interior, mostly to the east 

 of the Limopo River. The peculiar manner in which this species carries its horns, 

 makes it a very conspicuous animal. In all the other species, the horns are curved, and 

 incline rather backward ; but in the Kobaoba, the foremost horn is nearly straight, and 

 projects forward, so that when the animal is running, the tip of the horn nearly touches 

 the ground. Indeed, the extremity of an adult Kobaoba's horn is generally rubbed 

 down on one side, owing to the frequency in which it has come in contact with the 

 earth. The head of this and the preceding species is always carried very low, forming 

 a singular contrast to the saucy and independent manner in which the borele carries 

 his headi 



The long horn of the Kobaoba sometimes exceeds four feet in length, and as it is 

 almost straight, is almost valuable for many purposes. The best, toughest, and straightest 

 ramrods are manufactured from this horn, and I have seen one of these ramrods that was 

 almost four feet long, even after being shaped and trimmed, so that the horn from which 

 it was cut must have been still longer. The mother Kabaoba employs this horn for a 

 very curious purpose, as was seen by Gumming. , Whenever the mother and her young 

 are abroad, the calf always takes the lead, and in this instance she guided her little one 

 by pressing it against the calf's side. The horn is also used by the Kaffirs to make 

 " knob-herries," or knob-headed sticks, which they can employ as clubs in hand-to-hand 

 combat, or can throw with wonderful effect. A party of Kaffirs will often go out in 

 chase of birds, armed with nothing but these knob-herries, which they will hurl with 

 such force and precision that they generally return home loaded with game. 



The four African species of Rhinoceros are not at all prolific animals, producing only 

 one young one at a time, and, as far as is known, a considerable interval occurs between 

 each birth. It is not a gregarious, neither does it appear to be a monogamous, animal. 

 It seems, however, to find some gratification in the presence of others of its own species, 

 and maybe seen in little assemblies of eight or ten in number. These assemblies, how- 

 ever, cannot be termed flocks or herds, as their members are not under the command of 

 a single leader, nor bound together by any common tie, and when alarmed, each indi- 

 vidual makes his escape as he best can. The skin is comparatively smooth, and devoid 

 of hair, so that the animal bears some resemblance to an overgrown pig. 



ONE of the most curious little animals in existence is the HYRAX, interesting not so 

 much from its imposing external appearance, as for its importance in filling up a link 

 in the chain of creation. 



About as large as a tolerably sized rabbit, covered with thick, soft fur, inhabiting holes 

 in the banks, possessing incisor-like teeth, and, in fine, being a very rabbit in habits, 

 manners, and appearances, it was long classed among the rodents, and placed among the 

 rabbits and hares. It has, however, been discovered in later years, that this little rabbit- 

 like animal is no rodent at all, but is of one the pachydermata, and that it forms a natural 

 transition from the rhinoceros to the hippopotamus. On a close examination of the teeth, 

 they are seen to be wonderfully like those of the hippopotamus, their edges being bevelled 

 off in a similar manner, and therefore bearing some resemblance to the chisel-edged 

 incisors of the rodents. There are several species of Hyrax, one of which inhabits 

 Northern Africa and Syria, while the other two are found in Abyssinia and South Africa. 



The South African Hyrax is termed by the colonists KLIP DAS, or ROCK RABBIT, and 

 is found in considerable plenty among the mountainous districts of its native land, being 

 especially common on the sides of the Table mountain. It is largely eaten by the natives, 

 who succeed in killing it in spite of its extreme wariness and activity. Among the 

 crevices and fissures in the rock the Hyrax takes up its abode, and may often be seen 

 sitting in the warm rays of the sun, or feeding with apparent carelessness on the 

 aromatic herbage of the mountain side. It is however, perfectly secure, in spite of its 

 apparent negligences, for a sentinel is always on guard, ready to warn his companions 

 by a peculiar shrill cry of the approach of danger. Sometimes the Hyrax is seen at a 

 considerable height, but is often observed near the sea-shore, seated on rocks which 

 are barely above high-water mark. 



