ORDER VII. PACIIYDERMATA. 



2!S.J 



a very small portion of the animal exposed, and a shot at the whole body can 

 scarcely ever be obtained. The color is a uniform bluish tint." 



These animals are valuable to the inhabitants on account of tlie uses to 

 wliicli tlicir skins are applied, and their excellent meat, as well as for the 

 ivory of their teeth. Tiieir ribs are covered with a thick layer of fat, cele- 

 brated as the greatest delicacy, and known to the colonists by the name of 

 Zcektuapcl- — sea-cow pork. This can only be preserved by salting', as on 

 attempting to dry it in the sun, as the other parts of the animal, it melts 

 away. The rest of the flesh is lean, and is cut into large slices, and dried 

 on the bushes. The colonists destroy the animal with the ritle, but the 

 natives entrap it in pits. 



Genus IIiiixoceko.s. The general appearance and form of this group of 

 animals indicate great strength and power of endurance. The rhinoceros is 

 a powerful beast, about twelve feet in length, and four and a half in height. 

 The skin is arranged in folds, destitute of hair, and is almost impenetrable to 

 any ordinary bullet. But the most striking feature of this animal is its horn, 

 or horns; for some species have two. In regard to the structure of this 

 member, ]Mr. Burchell makes-the following interesting remarks : "Dispersed 

 over the skin of all animals are pores, wiiich secrete a peculiar fluid, which 

 may be designated by the name of corneous matter. When these ])ores are 

 separate, they prt)diice hairs ; when they are conllucnt and in a line, tiicy 

 produce the nails, claws, and hoofs ; wlien these pores are confluent and in a 

 ring,' they furnish tiie corneous core of the Iiorns of the animals of the rumi- 

 nating class ; and when confluent in a circular order, they supply matter for 

 the formation of a solid horn, such as we see in the rhinocei'os." 



The rhinoceri are gregarious, tliough sometimes they go in pairs. Tlieir 

 food is entirely vegetable. The teeth vary according to age, and their feet 

 have three toes, apjiarent externally, as if shod with blunt hoofs. The upper 

 lip is long, extendhig into a narrow point, having prehensile powers, like the 

 j)roboscis of the elephant, and is used to collect the food, and bring it into 

 the mouth. They are extremely slovenly, but of inoffensive temper ; yet 

 when irritated, they are furious and revenrfcful, possessing enormous strength, 

 and exercising a most formidable power witii their horns, the principal one 

 of which is nearly three feet in ]en"-th, and thou'di a blunt-looking instru- 

 ment, when wielded by an animal of sucii bulk and force, is made to drive 

 its way through almost any resistance. Their skins are used for variinis 

 purposes, both in Africa and India, for which they are hunted, chiefly, how- 

 ever, by the natives, Europeans not liking to engage them. According to 

 Colonel Williamson, they are shot with heavy guns, containing an iron ball 

 of three ounces weiglit, and an aim is generally taken at tiie eye, or tiiorax, 

 or some of the vulnerable parts where the skin is thinnest, and the part is 



