1871.] 



MR. SCI.ATER ON RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS. 



enclosures, by placing his horn under it. After repeating these 

 attempts several times, in spite of the interference of the keepers, 

 his efforts were such that the horn became suddenly detached under 

 the violent pressure to which it was subjected, and rolled off into 

 the yard. The animal appeared to be much hurt, and roared lustily 

 for a few minutes. There was a considerable loss of blood from 

 the wound, which, however, healed in a few days, neat's-foot oil 

 being applied to it to keep off the flies. 



Fig. 1. 



Head of male Rhinoceros before the horn was torn off (August 10th, 1870). 



"The horn, as will be seen (fig. 1), measures about 12 inches in 

 length along its anterior surface, which curves gradually backward ; 

 the widened base is 85 inches in long diameter, and 5£ inches across. 

 The lower surface presents a considerable cavity, about If inch 

 in depth, upon examining which it is clearly seen that the whole 

 horn has been cleanly torn away from the matrix. 



" Very soon after the loss of the old horn, we observed indications 

 that a new horn was forming. This has increased rapidly in size, 

 and is now already perhaps 1| inch in height. It is thus certain 

 that the Rhinoceros has the power of reproducing its horn, after 

 the existing one has been broken off. I am well aware that this 

 fact has already been noticed by different explorers and observers ; 



