234 Indian Rhinoceros. 



present a formal description of it drawn from the data fur- 

 nished by Mr. Hodgson, and Dr. A.'s own examination of 

 its remains. Dr. Abel proposed to call the animal, Antelope 

 Hodgsonii, after its discoverer. 



INDIAN RHINOCEROS. 



Mr. Hodgson's observations on the rhinoceros are in con- 

 tinuation of a paper, read at a meeting of the Physical Com- 

 mittee, in February 1825, on the gestation of the rhinoceros, 

 at the close of which he proposed to furnish to the committee, 

 from time to time, an account of the rate of growth of one of 

 these animals which was born in the menagerie of the Rajah 

 of Nepaul. The first dimensions taken of the animal were 

 made at three days old, when it measured two feet in height, 

 three feet four inches and three-quarters in length, and four 

 feet and seven-fourths of an inch in its greater circumference : — 

 since that it has increased in the following proportions. From 

 three days to one month, it gained five inches in height, five 

 inches and three-quarters in length, and three inches and 

 three-quarters in circumference ; while from the age of one to 

 fourteen months, it increased one foot seven inches in height, 

 two feet in length, and two feet seven inches in circumference; 

 from fourteen to nineteen months, four inches in height, one 

 foot four inches and a half in length, and two feet four inches 

 in circumference, the rhinoceros being, at the date of the last 

 measurement, (in December 1825,) four feet four inches high, 

 seven feet four inches and a half long, and nine feet five inches 

 in circumference. 



In general aspect the cub now resembles the mother, the 

 heavy folds of the skin, which were wanting in July last, being 

 fully formed in December. The nasal horn at the latter 

 period scarcely protruded two inches beyond the skin. 



The observations of Mr. Hodgson are of great value, in 

 reference to all questions respecting the rate of development 

 and full growth of many of the larger animals, respecting 

 which scarcely any authentic statements are to be found in 

 authors, although they have exercised the genius of BufFon 

 and other philosophical writers. The diminished ratio of in- 

 crease of height remarkable in the latter period of develop- 

 ment, as stated by Mr. Hodgson, renders it probable that the 

 animal will yet be a long time in arriving at its adult size, — a 

 supposition which is also rendered probable by its seventeen 

 months' gestation, and the slow growth of its horn. 



Mr. Hodgson, in pursuing his inquiries, has had occasion 

 to remark the amiableness of the young Animal's disposition, 

 both towards his keeper and strangers ; an instance, he ob- 

 serves, 



