THE SINGLE-HORNED RHINOCEROS^ III 



The body and limbs of the Rhinoceros are de- 

 fended by a skin so hard as to be impenetrable, ex- 

 cept in the belly^ by either a knife or spear. It is 

 said, that even to shoot a full-grown Rhinoceros of 

 an advanced age, it is necessary to make use of iron 

 bullets, those of lead having been known to flatten 

 against the skin. 



The upper lip in this animal seems to answer in 

 some measure the same purpose as the trunk of the 

 Elephant. It protrudes over the lower one in the 

 form of a lengthened tip ; and, being extremely 

 pliable, is used in catching hold of the shoots 

 of vegetables, &:c. and delivering them into its 

 mouth. 



The Rhinoceros is generally of a quiet and inof- 

 fensive disposition, but when attacked or provoked, 

 he becomes very furious and dangerous ; and he is 

 even sometimes subject to paroxysms of fury, which 

 nothing can assuage. 



Dr. Parsons, in the year 1743, published a his- 

 tory of the Rhinoceros, containing a very minute 

 description of one that \\ as brought from Bengal 

 into Europe *. He was only two years old, and the 

 cxpcnce of his food and journey amounted to near 

 lOOOl, sterling. He liad every day, at three meals, 

 seven pounds of rice, mixed with three pounds of 

 sugar ; besides hay and green plants : he also drank 

 large quantities of w^ater. In his disposition he was 

 very peaceable, readily suffering all parts of his 



Tlie fust that was biou^btinto England was in the year lGS4. 



