RHINOCEROTIDA 409 
auditory meatus. Nothing is known of the anatomy of the soft 
parts of cither of them. 
Burchell’s or the Square-mouthed Rhinoceros (L¢. s/ius), sometimes 
called the White Rhinoceros, though the colour (dark slate) is not 
materially different from that of the last species, is the largest of 
the whole group, and differs from all the others in having a square 
truncated upper lip and a wide, shallow, spatulate symphysis to 
the lower jaw. In conformity with the structure of the mouth, 
this species lives entirely by browsing on grass, and is therefore 
more partial to open countries or districts where there ave broad 
grassy valleys between the tracts of bush. It is only found in 
Africa south of the Zambesi, and of late years has become ex- 
tremely scarce, owing to the persecutions of sportsmen ; indeed, 
the time of its complete extinction cannot be far off. No specimen 
of this species has ever been brought alive to Europe. Myr. F. C. 
Selous! gives the following description of its habits from extensive 
porsonal observation :— 
“The square-mouthed rhinoceros is a huge ungainly -looking 
beast, with a disproportionately large head, a large male standing 
6 feet 6 inches at the shoulder. Like elephants and buttaloes they 
lie asleep during the heat of the day, and feed during the night 
and in the cool how's of early morning and evening. Their sight 
is very bad; but they ave quick of hearing, and their scent is very 
keen ; they ave, too, often accompanied by rhinoceros birds, which, 
by running about their heads, flapping their wings, and screeching 
at the same time, frequently give them notice of the approach of 
danger. When disturbed they go off at a swift trot, which soon 
leaves all pursuit from a man on foot far behind ; but if chased by 
a horseman they break into a gallop, which they can keep up for 
some distance. However, although they run very swiftly, when 
their size and heavy build is considered, they are no match for an 
average good horse. They are, as a rule, very easy to shoot on 
horseback, as, if one gallops a little in front of and on one side of 
them, they will hold their course, and come sailing past, offering 
au magnificent broadside shot, while under similar circumstances a 
prehensile-lipped rhinoceros will usnally swerve away in such a 
manner as only to present his hind-quarters for a shot. When 
either walking or running, the square-mouthed rhinoceros holds its 
head very low, its nose nearly touching the ground. When a small 
ealf accompanies its mother it always runs in front, and she appears 
to guide it by holding the point of her horn upon the little animal’s 
rump; and it is perfectly wonderful to note how in all sudden 
changes of pace, from a trot to a gallop or rice cers’, the same 
position is always exactly maintained. During the autumn and 
winter months (i.e. from March to August) the square-mouthed 
1 Prov, Zool. Soc, 1881, p. 726. 
