APPENDIX. 99 



that of the Shangalla, which he pofTefles, deluged with fix 

 months rains, and full of large and deep bafons, made in 

 the living rock, and fhaded by dark woods from evapora- 

 tion ; or watered by large and deep rivers, which never fall 

 low or to a ftate of drynefs, can fupply the vaft draughts of 

 this monftrous creature; but it is not for drinking alone that 

 he frequents wet and marfhy places; large, fierce, and ftrong 

 as he is, he muft fubmit to prepare to defend himfclf a- 

 gainft the weakeft of all adverfaries. The great confump- 

 tion he conftantly makes of food and water neceflarily con- 

 fine him to certain limited fpaces ; for it is not every place 

 that can maintain him, he cannot emigrate, or feek his de- 

 fence among the fands 1 of Atbara. 



The fly, that unremitting perfecutor of every animal that 

 lives in the Jdack earth, does not fpare the rhinoceros, nor 

 is afraid of his fiercenefs. He attacks him in the fame man- 

 ner as he does the camel, and would as eafily fubdue him, 

 but for a ftratagem which he prac~tifes for his prefervation. 

 The time of the fly being the rainy feafon, the whole black 

 earth, as I have already obferved, turns into mire. In the 

 night when the fly is at reft, he choofes a convenient place, 

 and there rolling himfelf in the mud, he clothes himfelf 

 with a kind of cafe, which defends him againft his adver- 

 fary the following day. The wrinkles and plaits of his 

 fkin ferve to keep this muddy plafter firm upon him, all 

 but about his hips, fhoulders, and legs, where it cracks and 

 falls off by motion, and leaves him expofed in thofe places 

 to the attacks of the fly. The itching and pain which fol- 

 low occafion him to rub himfelf in thofe parts againft the 

 jougheft trees, and this is at lead one caufe of the puftules 



Vol. V, P or 



\ 



