ZOOLOGICAL 
their domain. No narrow-mind- 
ed spirit has imposed a plan— 
they follow nature, lead no- 
where, and are owned by none. 
The feet, with 
Feet of | three broad-nailed 
the White Logisnlonve : 
Rhinoceros 0ofs, leave an un 
mistakable track 
and the accompanying  photo- 
graph shows the differences be- 
tween the oblong sole of the hind 
foot and the more roundish one 
of the forefoot. Consistent with 
their greater size, the tracks of 
old bulls are perceptibly larger 
and deeper than those of cows. 
To say that rhinoceroses walk 
on high heels seems far-fetched, 
yet this is practically what hap- 
pens. These mighty monsters 
step on tiptoe, their full weight 
resting on a pad of resilient tis- 
sues which absorbs every jar and 
acts in a manner similar to, but 
far more efficient than any rub- 
ber heel. Protected by a horny 
flexible sole, at each step this 
cushion of elastic tissue can adapt itself to any 
surface. Even on slippery, sloping ground, 
where I saw a big bull giraffe trip and tumble, 
a white rhinoceros passed safely at a swift pace. 
As in elephants a rather shuffling gait with steam- 
roller-like action upon the vegetation is their 
usual manner of walking. The many broad 
trails are witnesses to the smoothing effect of 
their oft repeated travels. In rambles by day 
or night they tramp in leisurely fashion often in 
single file, through the primeval wilderness. 
Speeding on smooth ground any good horse 
could readily overtake a rhinoceros in the first 
five hundred yards. 
much like pigs. 
Fleet animals like antelopes or horses are 
little hampered by the density of the vegetation 
near the ground. To leap over impediments is 
like a mere pastime to them, and their high- 
placed knees and hocks furnish a freedom of 
action that allows a maximum of speed and 
endurance. The small hoofs, long 
bones, compact muscles, and rope-like tendons 
effect with ease what would be impossible for the 
ungainly, loose-jointed stocky and short legs 
of the rhinoceros. The great entanglements of 
a grass covered brush country demand a new 
exertion for each step. The lower part of the 
pillar-like fore and hind limbs terminates 
abruptly in clumsy, truncate feet, difficult to 
cannon 
favorite ‘“‘wallows’’ induces them to migrate. 
SOCIETY BULLETIN 87 
WHERE HERDS GATHER TO PLAY 
A mud bath is so necessary to the comfort of white rhinoceroses that the drying out of their 
At full length, they plunge about in the mud, 
Some of the mud is rubbed off on the bushes, and by rolling about on the 
ground great clearings are worn down. 
lift far from the ground; but the relatively 
short, stout bones, muscles, and sinews are well 
designed for the tremendous pushing effort 
needed. 
Since the motive power is gener- 
ated only by coarse grass of 
rather slight nutritious quality the 
digestive organs are enormous, a living “steam- 
boiler’ hooped by broad ribs and an armor- 
like hide. The rest of the carcass is but bone 
and sinew, with surprisingly few large muscles. 
This is a serious defect in the eyes of meat- 
hungry natives, and even the hide, roasted and 
boiled like meat, is not a sufficient compensa- 
tion; and so in their songs they bitterly complain 
of it. 
Anatomical 
Features 
Only once have I heard of a com- 
bat between white rhinoceroses. 
Their usual, unruffled calmness 
may suddenly give way to a senseless charge, 
but a determined struggle, as among elephants 
and buffaloes, is hardly in keeping with their 
temper. The solitary bull, fought out of the 
herd, is rarely met with. Continued breeding 
seems to foster the formation of small family 
troops from which domestic pugnacity is happily 
absent. 
Fighting 
Rare 
With the exception of man they have no ene- 
mies but lions and leopards, which prowl about 
