ORDER PACHYDERMATA. 427 



which in ordinary cases they are ready enough to do, 

 wheeled round, and received the blow of the rhinoceros's 

 horn on the posteriors; the blow brought them immediately 

 to the ground with their riders, and as soon as they had 

 risen, the brute was again ready, and again brought them 

 down, and in this manner did the contest continue until 

 four of the seven were killed, when the rest made good 

 their retreat. 



By comparing the tenour of these short observations of 

 them in their wild condition, and in a state of confinement, 

 we may gather sufficient data on which to form a tolerable 

 estimate of the character of these animals. Endowed with 

 amazing powers of body — powers which can repel, if not 

 overcome, the active ferocity of the Lion and the ponderous 

 strength of the Elephant, but at the same time seeking 

 their sustenance not by the destruction of animal life, but 

 in the profuse banquet of the vegetable kingdom, they 

 might naturally be expected to avail themselves of their 

 physical power principally in self-defence. Accordingly we 

 find, that against the first aggressor the Rhinoceros is a 

 terrible enemy ; but if left to the ordinary bent of his own 

 inclination, if unmolested in short, he does not wantonly 

 seek occasion to exercise his strength to the injury of other 

 creatures. 



A new species of Rhinoceros was discovered by Mr. 

 Burchell a description of which has not yet been given by 

 him, as it is intended to accompany a part of his very in- 

 teresting work which is not yet published ; but he has 

 communicated to M. de B. Blainville some account of it, 

 which was printed in the Journal de Physique for Au- 

 gust, 1817. 



This species was first seen in 24° south latitude, in- 

 habiting the immense plains of the country, which are 

 perfectly dry during the greater part of the year. The 

 animal frequents the spring daily, not merely to drink, but 



