1832.] Oi Ihc Mammalia of Xcpal. 



into the cultivated parts of the Tarai to feed noon th° rice crops. 

 Both these genera are entirely unknown to the central and northern 

 regions. The elephant is that so well known as the Indian variety, 

 and as such is contra-distinguished from the African variety. But 

 it may be questioned, if there be not two distinct varieties or species 

 in India alone, viz. the Ceylonese, and that of the saul forest. The 

 former differs materially from the latter by having a smaller lighter 

 head, which is carried more elevated, and by higher forequarters. It 

 is also said to be larger, and of a more generous and bold temper. 

 The difference of size, however, is certainly a mistake. I cannot 

 speak to the point of temper. The rhinoceros is of the unicorn spe- 

 cies. The two-horned is unknown. 



The rhinoceros (as I had the good fortune, eight years ago, to 

 have an opportunity of ascertaining in the menagerie of the Rajah of 

 Nepal) goes with young from 17 to 18 months, and produces only 

 one at a birth. When born, and for a month afterwards, the young 

 has a pink suffusion over the dark colour proper to the mature hide. 

 At birth, it walks pretty firmly, and measures three feet four inches 

 long (exclusive of tail), and two feet high at the shoulder. At a 

 month old, it is very active and vigorous, and measures 3 ft. 10 in. by 

 2 ft. 5 in. I have just seen and carefully examined this young animal. 

 He is now eight years and a month old, but is certainly very far 

 from being adult. His length (without the tail) is 9 ft. 3 in. — his 

 height, at the shoulder, 4 ft. 10 in. utmost girth of the body 10 ft. 5 in. 

 length of the head 2 ft. 4 in. and of the horn b inches. 



The rhinoceros continues to suck its mother for nearly two years, 

 and is believed to live at least 100 years ; having been in one in- 

 stance, taken mature and kept at Kathmandu 35 years, without exhi- 

 biting any symptoms of approaching decline. If reared in confinement, 

 or taken young, the rhinoceros is perfectly tractable, and may be 

 driven out to graze, through the streets of a crowded city, by a single 

 man without even a halter to restrain it. 



Of the remaining genera of the Pachgdermata, we have only the 

 wild hog, which is common to all the three regions of Nepal, and is 

 plentiful in all. It resembles that variety found in the plains of 

 India, which is or ought to be distinguished by small tushes and a 

 nearly horizontal back, the other Indian variety being conspicuous 

 for the elevation and weight of its forequarters, and the superior 

 development of its canine teeth or tusks. 



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