274 



EASTERN ETHIOPIA 



XXI 



weak caustic alkali solution it will soften and Make 

 in the same way that our finger nails and patches of 

 hard skin soften under the infiuences of soap and 

 water. 



There is one use the rliinoceros has for its hoi'u, and 



I'lie tail of an African olepliant. Tlie luiirs arc compound, and 

 similar in stnictuie to the nasal horn of tlie rhinoceros. 



t])at is prol)al)ly peculiar to it. After dropping its 

 dung the animal turns round and charges the heap with 

 its liorn and wrathfuUy tosses the dung about ; some- 

 times ploughing up deep holes in the ground with the 

 nose and liorn during this weird performance. Selous 

 states tliat this applies to every prehensile lipped 

 rhinoceros irrespective of the length of the posterior 



