652 ME. P. L. SCLATER ON THE EHINOCEROSBS 



4. Ehinoceeos lasiotis. (Plate XCVIII.) 



Rhinocei'os sumairensis, Anderson, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 129 ; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 185. 

 Rhinoceros lasiotis, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 493, pi. xxiii. and p. 790 j Ann. N. H. ser. 4, vol. x. 



p. 298 ; Rev. List of Vert. Suppl. p. 8. 

 Ceratorhinus lasiotis, Garrod, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 92. 

 Ceratorhinus sumatranus, Gray, Hand-list of Edentates &c. p. 47. 

 Ceratorhinus crossii, Blyth, J. A. S. B. vol. xliii. p. 51 (1875). 



Mr. Wolf's drawings of the present Rhinoceros were taken in 1872 from the only 

 individual of the present species yet known, which is still living in good health in our 

 Gardens. 



This animal was originally captured near Chittagong in Eastern Bengal, in January 

 1868, in the manner described as follows in one of the Calcutta newspapers : — 



" The quiet station of Chittagong has been lately enlivened by the presence of a 

 Rhinoceros. It appears that about a month ago some natives came into Chittagong 

 and stated that a Rhinoceros had been found by them in a quicksand, and was quite 

 exhausted with her efforts to release herself. They had attached two ropes to the 

 animal's neck, and with the assistance of about 200 men dragged her out, and keeping 

 bar taut between two ropes they eventually made her fast to a tree. The next morning, 

 however, they found the Rhinoceros so refreshed and making such efforts to free herself 

 that they were frightened, and made application to the magistrate of Chittagong for 

 assistance. The same evening Captain Hood and Mr. H. W. Wickes started with eight 

 Elephants to secure the prize, and after a march of about sixteen hours to the south of 

 Chittagong they came up with the animal. She was then discovered to be a Sumatran 

 Rhinoceros, rather more than four feet in height, with a smooth hairy skin somewhat 

 like that of a Pig, and with two horns (one up high, almost between the eyes, and 

 small, the other rather larger and just above the nose), and the upper lip almost coming 

 to a point and protruding a little. 



" The Elephants at the first sight of the Rhinoceros were very much afraid and 

 bolted one and all, but after some little exertion they were brought back and made to 

 stand by. A rope was now with some trouble attached to the animal's hind leg and 

 secured to an Elephant ; at this juncture the Rhinoceros roared, the Elephants again 

 bolted; and had it not been for the rope slipping from the leg of the Rhinoceros, that 

 limb might have been pulled from the body. The Rhinoceros was, however, eventually 

 secured with ropes between Elephants and marched into Chittagong in perfect health. 

 Two large rivers had to be crossed : — first, the Sungoo river, where the animal was 

 tuwed between Elephants, for she could not swim and could only just keep her 

 head above water by pjiddling with the fore feet like a Pig ; and secondly, the Kurna- 

 foolie river, when the ordinary cattle ferry-boat was used. Thousands of natives 

 thronged the march in, which occupied a few days, the temporary bamboo bridges on 

 the Government road invariably falling in with the numbers collected thereon to watch 



