:ni CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



ami it may be added, that in the convexity of the posterior edge of the ascending portion it surpasses 

 that even of the tapir, which, in this respect, is the nearest of all animals to the hyrax. In other par- 

 ticulars the skull approaches that of the rhinoceros ; the molar teeth, in fact, are those of that animal 

 in miniature, both as to form and number. There are in the tapir, as in the rhinoceros, no canines. The 

 upper incisors, two in number, are long, triangular, pointed, stout, and separated from each other by a 

 small interval. The lower incisors are four in number, set in close array, flat, and directed forwards. At 

 first, their edges are notched ; but they become smooth by use. The molars are seven on each side, above 

 and below ; but the first, which is small, falls out, being worn down, as soon as the last molar on each 

 side has arisen ; and in old individuals, the next is also frequently wanting. Several species belong to 

 the present genus ; but it will suffice to describe the creature which we have engraved. 



THE SYRIAN DAMAN.* 



THIS animal inhabits Syria and the adjacent country, Abyssinia, and the northern line of Africa, and 

 also, if the species be identical, which is, perhaps, questionable, the Cape, and Southern Africa. The 

 differences, however, between the Syrian daman and the Cape damant are so trifling, that Cuvier 

 could establish no specific distinction. 



The daman, the " coney" of Scripture, is a harmless creature, about the size of a rabbit ; but it is 

 of a brown colour, with smaller eyes, and a head more pointed ; the fore feet are likewise short, and 

 the hinder are long. Though it is known sometimes to burrow in the ground, yet it is so much 

 attached to the rock, that it is seldom or never seen on the ground, or found among large stones in the 

 mouth of caves, where it fixes its residence. Thus, as Solomon said, " The conies are but a feeble 

 folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks. "J 



THE RHINOCEROS. 



ANOTHER genus of pachydennes has now to be considered, comprised of several species. Africa, 

 India, Java, and Sumatra, the lands of the forest and the jungle, are their native regions. 



Of bulk scarcely less than the elephant, of massive proportions and enormous strength, their 

 generic characters may be thus given: The incisor teeth are altogether wanting, or are four in each 

 jaw ; the canines are also wanting ; the molars are seven on each side, above and below ; those of 

 the upper jaw have a square surface, presenting several projecting lines, and those of the lower 

 an irregular crown with projecting eminences. The feet are divided into three toes ; the skin is naked, 

 thick, and solid ; the bones forming the vaulted roof of the nose very strong, and supporting one or two 

 solid horns adhering solely to the skin, and composed of longitudinal fibres, appearing, on close inspec- 

 tion, an agglutinated mass of hairs. These horns are, indeed, only a cutaneous secretion, the close-set 

 pores of the skin sending forth multitudes of fibres, which increase by the addition of fresh matter at 

 the roots. Swampy situations, near large rivers and verdant plains, especially where water abounds, 

 are the localities these animals frequent ; herbs and the succulent shoots of shrubs form their food. 



The Rhinoceros was known to the nations of antiquity ; but the first one seen by modem 

 Europeans appears to have been one sent from India to Emmanuel, king of Portugal, in 1513. 

 Emmanuel intended it as a present to the Pope, but the animal, in an access of fury, sank the vessel 

 on its passage. 



In 1 685, one was brought alive to England ; another was shown throughout a great part of Europe 

 in 1739 ; and a third, a female, was exhibited in 1741. In 1790, a rhinoceros was brought from the 

 East Indies as a present to Mr. Dundas, who gave the animal away ; but it was afterwards purchased 

 by Pidcock for 700, who exhibited it in Exeter Change. 



This animal, which was supposed to have been, at the time of his arrival, about five years old, 

 exhibited no ferocious symptoms, and would even allow himself to be patted on the back or sides by 



Hyrax Syriacus. f H. Capensis. J Proverbs xxx. 26. 



{ Rhinoceros. Linnceus. e', the nose ; pnt, a horn. 



