THE EHINOCEROS. 343 



is most difficult and next to impossible to kill a rhinoceros when 

 charging, on account of the protection of the brain afforded by 

 the horns, an unexpected charge in thick jungle is particularly 

 unpleasant, especially when on horseback, as there is no means of 

 escape but to rush headlong through all obstacles. 



" The teeth of this animal are very peculiar. The molars have 

 a projecting cutting edge on the exterior side: thus the jaws 

 when closed form a pair of shears, as the projecting edges of the 

 upper and lower rows overlap. This is a favourable arrangement 

 of nature to enable the animal to clip off twigs and the branches 

 on which it feeds, as, although it does not absolutely refuse grass, 

 this rhinoceros is decidedly a wood-eater. • There are particular 

 bushes which form a great attraction ; among these is a dwarf 

 mimosa with a reddish bark; this tree grows in thick masses, 

 which the rhinoceros clips so closely that it frequently resembles 

 a quickset-hedge that has been cut by the woodman's shears. 

 These animals are generally seen in pairs, or the male, female, and 

 calf. The mother is very affectionate, and exceedingly watchful 

 and savage. Al though so large an animal, the cry is very insig- 

 nificant, and is not unlike the harsh, shrill sound of a penny 

 trumpet." 



This so-called black rhinoceros is not in reality black, but has 

 a flesh-coloured skin. It is a smaller animal than the white 

 species, being only about eleven feet in length, and stands about 

 five feet high. The head is slightly more elongated, and the 

 horns are shSrter but thicker in proportion to the length. It 

 feeds on leaves and small branches. 



The Keitloa (B. Keitloa) has the two horns nearly equal in 

 length, the anterior one cylindrical, and the posterior one com- 

 pressed, and they measure generally three or four inches under 

 two feet. The head is shorter and broader, and the prehensile 

 capabilities of the lip are less ; otherwise it differs but little from 

 the previously described animal. In fact there is not enough dis- 

 tinction to justify this variety being regarded as specifically 

 distinct from the B. hicornis. 



Gordon Gumming '^ gives some interesting details about these 

 1 "Hunter's Life in South Africa." 



