176 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



The length of the Rhinoceros, from the extremity 

 of the muzzle to the insertion of the tail, is usually 

 twelve feet; and the circumference of its body 

 nearly equal to its length. Its nose is armed with 

 a formidable weapon, peculiar to this creature, 

 being a very hard and solid horn, with which it 

 defends itself from every adversary. The Tiger, 

 would rather attack the Elephant, whose trunk it 

 can lay hold of, than the Rhinoceros, which it can- 

 not face, without danger of having its bowels torn 

 out. 



The body and limbs of the Rhinoceros are cover- 

 ed with a skin so hard and impenetrable, that he 

 fears neither the claws of the Tiger, nor the more 

 formidable proboscis of the Elephant : it will turn 

 the edge of a scimitar, and even resist the force of 

 a musket-ball. The skin, which is of a blackish 

 colour, forms itself into large folds at the neck, the 

 shoulders, and the crupper, by which the motion of 

 the head and limbs is facilitated; round the neck, 

 which is very short, are two large folds; there is 

 also a fold from the shoulders, which hangs down 

 upon the fore legs; and another from the hinder 

 part of the back to the thighs. The body is every 

 where covered with small tuberosities or knots, 

 which are small on the neck and back, but larger 

 on the sides : the thighs, legs, and even the feet, are 

 full of these incrustations, which have been mis- 

 taken for scales by some authors : they are, however, 

 only simple indurations of the skin, without any 

 uniformity in their figure, or regularity in their 

 position. Between the folds, the skin is penetrable 

 and delicate, as soft to the touch as silk, and of a 

 light flesh colour : the skin of the belly is nearly of 

 the same colour and consistency. 



