THE AFRICAN RHINOCEROS. 213 
split into numerous filaments at the base. These filaments, which have a 
very close resemblance to those which terminate the plates of whalebone, can 
be stripped upwards for some length, and if the substance of the horn be cut 
across, it will be seen to be composed of a vast number of hairy filaments 
lying side by side. : 
The skin of the Rhinoceros is of very great thickness and strength, bidding 
defiance to ordinary bullets, and forcing the hunter to provide himself with 
balls which have been hardened with tin or solder. The extreme stréngth of 
the skin is well known both to the Asiatic and African natives, who manufac- 
ture it into shields, and set a high value on these weapons of defence. 
In every species of Rhinoceros the sight appears to be rather imperfect, 
the animal being unable to see objects which are exactly in its front. The 
scent and hearing, however, are very acute, and seem to warn the animal of 
the approach of danger. 
The Asiatic species of Rhinoceros are remarkable for the heavy folds into 
which the skin is gathered, and which hang massively over the shoulders, 
throat, flanks, and hind-quarters. Upon the abdomen the skin is compara- 
tively soft, and can be pierced by a spear which would be harmlessly 
repelled from the thick folds of hide upon the upper portions of the body. 
In the INDIAN RHINOCEROS this weight of hide is especially conspicuous, 
the skin forming great flaps that can be easily lifted up by the hand. In a 
tamed state the Rhinoceros is pleased to be caressed on the softer skin under 
the thick hide, and in the wild state it suffers sadly from the parasitic insects 
that creep beneath the flaps, and lead the poor animal a miserable life, until 
they are stifled in the muddy compost with which the Rhinoceros loves to 
envelop its body. The horn of the Indian species is large in width, but in- 
considerable in height, being often scarcely higher than its diameter. Yet 
with his short heavy weapon the animal can do terrible execution, and is 
said, upon the authority of Captain Williamson, to repel the attack of an 
adult male Elephant. 
The height of this animal when fully grown is rather more than five feet, 
but the average height seems scarcely to exceed four feet. In colour it is a 
deep brown black, tinged with a purple h ue, which is most perceptible when 
the animal has recently left its bath. The colour of the young animal is 
.much paler than that of the mother, and partakes of a pinky hue. 
Or African Rhinoceroses four species are clearly ascertained, and it is very 
probable that others may yet be in existence. Two of the known species are 
black, and the other two white; the animals differing from each other not 
only in colour, but in form, dimensions, habits, and disposition. The com- 
monest of the African species is the BORELE, RHINASTER, or LITTLE BLACK 
RHINOCEROS, of Southern Africa; an animal which may be easily distin- 
guished from its relations by the shape of the horns and the upper lip. In the 
Borele the foremost horn is of considerable length, and bent rather backward, 
while the second horn is short, conical, and much resembles the weapon of 
the Indian animal. The head is rather rounded, and the pointed upper lip 
overlaps the lower, and is capable of considerable extension. 
The skin of this animal does not fall in heavy folds, like that of the Asiatic 
species, but is nevertheless extremely thick and hard, and will resist an 
ordinary leaden bullet, unless it be fired from a small distance. The skin is 
employed largely in the manufacture of whips, or jamboks. 
The food of the Black Rhinoceros, whether the Borele or the Keitloa, is 
composed of roots, which the animal ploughs out of the ground with its horn, 
and of the young branches and shoots of the wait-a-bit thorn. It is rather 
remarkable that the black species is poisoned by one of the Euphorbiacez, 
which is eaten with impunity: by the two white animals. 
