l8() HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



about eighteen inches in length, and is always the 

 larger of the two. They are of a conical shape, 

 and the tips incline a little backward ; the lower 

 parts are rough, and seem as if composed of thorny 

 fibres ; the upper parts are smooth and plain, like 

 those of an Ox. It is remarkable, that the Rhi- 

 noceros makes use of the shorter horn only, for 

 the purpose of digging up roots, of which its food 

 chiefly consists, being endued with the power of 

 turning the larger horn on one side out of the way. 

 The feet are round, and do not spread much ; there 

 are three hoofs on each of them, which project but 

 little; the middle one is the longest. 



The eyes of this animal are small, and sunk into 

 its head; in consequence of which it sees indis- 

 tinctly. But its organs of hearing and smelling are 

 very acute : at the least noise, the creature takes 

 the alarm, pricks up its ears, and listens with great 

 attention : if it happen to catch the scent of any 

 person within a small distance, it rushes out with 

 astonishing rapidity ; and it is difficult to avoid the 

 impetuous attack of this powerful animal. 



It has been generally said of the Rhinoceros, 

 that its tongue is so hard and rough, as to take 

 away the skin and flesh wherever it licks any 

 person that has unfortunately fallen a victim to its 

 fury. Mr. Sparrman says, however, that he thrust 

 his hand into the mouth of one that had just been 

 shot, and found the tongue perfectly soft and 

 smooth. From the account of its intestines, given 

 us by the same ingenious author, we shall just 

 mention the following, which will enable our readers 

 to form a more perfect idea of its enormous bulk: 

 the stomach was four feet in length, and two in 

 diameter ; to which was annexed a tube or canal, 



