CHAPTER X. 



THE AFRICAN RHINOCEROS. 



THE BOREI.E OR LITTLE BLACK RHINOCEROS — THE SWORD-HUNTERS OF ABYSSINIA — THE KEITLOA 

 — THEIR FIERCENESS — THE MOHOGOO OR WHITE RHINOCEROS — HUNTING ADVENTURE OF MR. 

 OSWELL — THE KOBAOBA — PROBABILITY OF ITS EXTINCTION. 



THE African Rhinoceroses are all two-horned, but are formed by 

 Gray into two genera: Rktnaster with a prehensile upper-lip, 

 and Ccratothcrium with a non-prehensile upper-lip, which are 

 known to travelers as the Black and White Rhinoceros respectively. 

 Each genus has two species. 



THE BLACK RHINOCEROSES. 



The Borele or Little Black Rhinoceros, Rhinoceros bicornis 

 (Plate XXXIV), is the commonest of the African species, and is easily 

 distinguished from the Asiatic two-horned species by its upper-lip and 

 the shape of its horn. The foremost horn is of considerable length and 

 inclines backward, while the second is short and conical. 



The Borele is a very fierce and dangerous animal, and is more feared 

 by the natives than even the lion. Although so clumsy in shape and 

 aspect, it is really a quick and active creature, darting about with light- 

 ning speed, and testing the powers of a good horse to escape from its 

 charge. Like many other wild animals, it becomes furiously savage 

 when wounded, but it will sometimes attack a passenger without the 

 least provocation. On one occasion an angry rhinoceros came charging 

 down upon a wagon, and struck his horn into the bottom plank with such 

 force as to send the wagon forward for several paces, although it was 

 sticking in deep sand. He then left the wagon and directed his attack 

 upon the fire, knocking the burning wood in every direction, and upset- 

 ting the pot which had been placed on the fire. He then continued his 



