324 WILD ANIMALS. 



for more accurate and closer study of these creatures in their 

 native haunts. Upon this subject of their using the horn for 

 combative purposes opinions are divided, and no' positive state- 

 ment can be made. That they may occasionally have to so use 

 it is quite probable, but that they invariably do so is open 

 to doubt. That hard blows can be struck with it is obvious, but 

 that it is used to rip up their opponents in the same way as the 

 wild hog uses his tusks is the point upon which 'more information 

 is required. Its large circumference, and the loose way in which 

 it is attached to the animal, would hardly allow it to be driven in 

 with any force, or it could not be withdrawn, and would be torn 

 from its roots. One of the animals in the Zoological Gardens, in 

 1870, was the victim of self-mutilation by using his horn for work 

 beyond its capacity. He was let out for exercise in the paddock 

 provided for the purpose, and tried to upheave the massive iron 

 railings that divide the enclosure by placing his horn under- 

 neath. It, of course, resisted his efforts, but he kept on making 

 repeated attempts until at last the thick, massive horn was torn 

 away from the head and fell into the yard. At first there was 

 considerable loss of blood, and the animal roared lustily for a few 

 minutes, but soon beoanie quiet. The wound was doctored by 

 Mr. Bartlett, who applied some neat's-foot oil to keep away the 

 flies, and in a short time his patient was as well as ever. A new 

 horn began to appear shortly afterwards. 



Colonel Kinlock, who is an authority on Indian sport, in the new 

 edition of his work,^ when describing the great Indian rhinoceros 

 remarks : "Contrary to general behef the rhinoceros does not 

 make use of his horn as a weapon of offence ; the wounds which it 

 occasionally inflicts on elephants are caused by its long, sharp 

 incisors, with which it can give a very formidable bite." 



Captain Williamson^ describes the rhinoceros as being the 

 inveterate enemy of the elephant, which he attacks whenever 

 he can get a favourable opportunity, ripping without mercy. 

 " The, apparent bluntness of the horn," he writes, " which is about 

 as broad at the base as it is high, would appear to render it an 



2 " Large G-ame Shooting," Calcutta, 1885. 



3 " Oriental Pield Sports," 1807. 



