186 VERTEBRATES. 



jlack Thinoceros, the "keitloa," or two-horned black I'hinoceros, 

 .he " muohocho," or common white rhinoceros, and the "kobaoba," 

 Dr long-horned white rhinoceros. Both varieties of the black 

 'hinoceros are extremely fierce and dangerous, and rush headlong 

 md unprovoked at any object which attracts their attention. They 

 nevei attain much fat, and their flesh is tough, and not much_ 

 esteemed by the Bechuanas. 



Their horns are much shorter than those of the other 

 ''arieties, seldom exceeding eighteen inches in length. They arc- 

 finely polished with constant rubbing against the trees. Tte skml 

 is remajkably formed, its most striking feature being the tremei" • 

 dous thick ossification in which it ends ab6ve the nostrils. It ia 

 on this mass that the horn is supported. The horns are not con- 

 nected with the skull, being attached merely by the skin, and they 

 may thus be separated from the head by means of a sharp knife. 

 They are ha.d, and perfectly solid throughout, and are a fine mate- 

 rial for various articles, such as drinking cups, mallets for rifles, han- 

 dles for turners' tools, etc., etc. The horn is capable of a very high 

 polish. The eyes of the Rhinoceros are small and sparkling, and 

 do not readily observe the hunter, provided he keep to leeward of 

 them. The skin is extremely thick, and only to be penetrated by 

 bullets hardened with solder. During the day, the Rhinoceros 

 will be found lying asleep, or standing indolently, in some retired 

 part of the forest, or under the base of the mountains, sheltered 

 from the power of the sun by some friendly grove of umbrella- 

 topped mimosas. In the evening, they commence their nightly 

 ramble, and wander over a great extent of country. They usually 

 visit the fountains between the hours of nine and twelve o'clock 

 at night, and it is on these occasions that they may be most suc- 

 cessfully hunted, and with the least danger. The Black Rhinoceros 

 is subject to paroxysms of unprovoked fury, often ploughing up 

 the ground for several yards with its horn, and assaulting large 

 bushes in the most violent manner. On these bushes they work 

 br hours with their horns, at the same time snorting and blowing 

 oudly; nor do they leave them in general until they have broV'>» 

 hem into pieces. All the four varieties delight to roll and wallofa 



