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THE ZooLocist—May, 1872. ; 3061 
The female Rhinoceros: successful Removal of her Horn.—Some time 
back I published a brief notice of a peculiar infirmity of the female Indian 
rhinoceros at the Zoo (Zool. 8. 8. 2341), namely, that her horn was loose 
and toppled forward, so as to come into contact with her nose: this irritated 
the part against which it rested, eventually causing a sore, which seemed to 
render the beast wretched and ill-tempered. A consultation among the 
authorities took place, and it was decided that amputation of the horn was 
the only remedy; and Mr. Bartlett undertook and has accomplished the 
difficult task. The idea of entering the den was not to be entertained for a 
moment: it would be impossible for an operator, however skilful, however 
daring, to do this with safety. Mr. Bartlett saw at once that the feat must 
be effected from the outside, and that the strategy of a Moltke would be 
required for its accomplishment: he has proved himself equal to the 
oceasion. A long and diligent study of the characters of animals in confine- 
ment had convinced him that kindness would do a great deal, and also that 
a kind of mesmeric conquest can be gained over them by friction; a parrot 
always enjoys having her poll rubbed, and a pig can be prostrated by 
scratching his back with the end of astick. Mr. Bartlett determined on 
his course of action, and no sooner was this resolved on than he entered on 
his campaign : first he fed the creature every day with cakes and buns; then, 
inducing her to come to the bars while engaged in the discussion of these 
dainties, he rubbed her face continuously with his hands: from the first her 
eyes were shut during the rubbing process, and she exhibited every symptom 
of intense enjoyment. The next step was to accustom her to the action a 
saw, and for this purpose, while still in a state of coma, a rough stick was 
introduced and was rubbed backwards and forwards on the horn with a 
sawing motion; this also was taken in good part; the huge creature seemed 
highly to appreciate the additional attention. The enemy was thus virtually 
conquered; as there is no apparent sensation in the horn, there was no 
apprehended danger of causing pain. So a time for the operation was 
agreed on, a well-set saw was procured, and everything prepared. In the 
morning Mr. Bartlett renewed his blandishments; the creature came with 
the utmost docility to receive them, and the surgical operation was 
commenced and continued until the horn was cut three parts through, when 
she discovered that something unusual was going on. Then she grunted 
loudly to show her displeasure, and the saw was instantly withdrawn: being 
under no restraint she rushed from.the front of the den and ran round and 
round, emitting a series of angry snorting grunts. It is presumed that the 
almost total severance of the horn caused it to press against the sore on the 
nose, and hence the exhibition of temper on the part of her ladyship. The 
operator was now completely nonplussed, and discontinued his labour, — 
postponing his task sine die, when by good fortune the creature by her rest- 
lessness managed, somehow or other, I will not say exactly how, to break 
SECOND SERIES—VOL, VII. 2B 
