THE TWO-HORNED RHINOCEROS. l\7 



fall behind him and on his side in all directions. 

 Others that are more pliable, greener, or fuller of 

 sapj are bent back by his weight, and the velocity 

 of his motions. And after he has passed, restoring 

 themselves like a green branch to their natural po- 

 sition, they often sweep the incautious pursuer and 

 his horse from the ground, and dash them in pieces 

 against the surrounding trees. 



*' The eyes of the Rhinoceros arc very small ; 

 he seldom turns his head, and therefore sees nothing 

 but what is before him *. To this he owes his 

 death, and never escapes if there is so much plain 

 as to enable the Horse to get before him. His pride 

 and fury then make him lay aside all thoughts of 

 escaping, but by victory over his enemy. He 

 stands for a moment at bay : then^ at a start, runs 

 straight forward at the Horse, like the Wild Boar, 

 which, in his manner of action, he very much re- 

 sembles. The Horse easily avoids him by turning 

 short to one side ; and this is the fatal instant : the 

 naked man, with the sword, drops from behind 

 the principal horseman, and, unseen by the Rhino- 

 ceros, who is seeking his enemy, the Horse, he 

 gives him a stroke across the tendon of the heel, 

 which renders him incapable of further flight or 

 resistance. 



" In speaking of the great quantity of food ne- 

 cessary to support this enormous mass, we must 



* The account of Mr. Bruce differs in tliis particular from that of 

 M. Vaillant, before quoted ; and it is impossible for me to say which 

 of the two is nearest tlie truth. 



I 3 * 



