152 A necdotal Natural History. 



By the natives of both Africa and Asia the skin of 

 the rhinoceros is greatly prized, being largely utilised 

 in the manufacture of shields, which form a most ef- 

 fectual protection from spears, no matter how keen 

 their points or how great the force with which they are 

 hurled. Even a rifle bullet, indeed, unless fired at 

 close quarters, would probably be checked or turned 

 aside in its flight. 



Yet, stout as is the skin in most parts of the body, 

 there are places where its character seems to be al- 

 together changed. In the Asiatic species of rhinoceros, 

 for instance, the skin falls in heavy folds upon the 

 neck, shoulders, and flanks, forming flaps which may 

 be lifted up with the hand. Beneath these folds the 

 skin is of a much softer and more delicate nature, 

 and may be pierced without any very great difficulty. 

 This fact is taken advantage of by the various para- 

 sites which infest the tropical forests, and which in- 

 sinuate themselves beneath these folds, directing 

 their attacks upon the thinner skin lying beneath them, 

 and driving the animals almost mad by their incessant 

 persecutions. Upon the under side of the body, also, 

 the skin is comparatively soft. 



Here we find a reason for the fondnes* of the rhi- 

 noceros and its allies for wallowing in the mud, the 

 thick tenacious substance rapidly hardening beneath 

 the rays of the sun, and affording an impenetrable 

 barrier to the tiny assailants. 



The eyes of the rhinoceros are by no means large, 

 and are placed rather deeply in the head, the sight 

 consequently being of a rather imperfect nature ; in 

 fact, the animal is unable to see any object directly in 

 its front. The senses of scent and hearing are, how- 

 ever, developed to a considerable extent, and fully 

 compensate the animal for its partial lark of visual 

 power. 



