148 



that's it ; 



natives of Hindoos tan The rhi- 

 noceros Indicus inhabits the East 

 Indies, especially beyond the 

 Ganges. It is found in the 

 neighbourhood of rivers and 



marshy places, where it fre- 

 quently combats with the herds of 

 elephants, 14, that there abound, 

 one rhinoceros being equal to 

 several elephants in battle. 



469. 



A rhinoceios, described by Dr. Parsons, came 

 to London in 1739 from Bengal. It is stated 

 that, though but two years old, the expenses of 

 his food and voyage amounted to near £1000 

 sterling. He had daily seven pounds of rice j 

 mixed with three pounds of sugar ; this was 

 divided into three portions. Hay and green 

 herbs were also given to him, but he preferred 

 the latter. He drank largely of water, taking a 

 great quantity at a time ; was peaceable when 

 not hungry or provoked, and allowed himself to 

 be handled. When, however, he wanted to eat, 

 or was irritated by any person, he became un- , 

 ruly, and in both cases he was only to be ap- ' 

 peased by food. When he was enraged, he 

 sprang forward, reared himself up, and pushed 

 violently with his head against the walls. Dr. 

 Parsons observed these movements produced by 

 rage or impatience, especially in the morning 

 before his rice and sugar were brought to him. 

 The vivacity and promptitude of these actions 

 led the doctor to think that the animal was 

 altogether unconquerable, and that he could 

 easily overtake any man who should offend him. 

 Dr. Parsons also observed that this rhinoceros 

 hearkened with a sort of continual attention to 

 any noise ; so that even if he was drowsy, em- 

 ployed in eating, or in satisfying more urgent 

 wants, he started instantly and gave attention 

 till the noise had ceased. The Rhinoceros 

 Indicus, now in the Zoological Society's Garden 

 at the Regent's Park, has been observed to listen 

 with attention ; and when out, to be thrown 

 into great excitement by the noise of the roller 

 upon the contiguous gravel walk, charging down 

 towards it, and rearing himself up against the 

 rence with great violence. 



From the great extent of Hin- 

 doostan there are marked differ- 

 ences in the climate and produc- 

 tions of its latitudes. Generally 

 speaking, it has three seasons : the 

 hot, wet, and cold. The first 

 commences about the middle of 

 March, and continues for three 

 months. The heat is, for the 

 most part, intense, and in some 

 places so excessive as to destroy 

 vegetation ; the thermometer 

 ranging, in the sun, from 100° 

 to 110°, and rising as high even 

 as 120° Fahr. The wet season 

 also occurs during the south- 

 west monsoon in most parts of 

 India, though, in the country 

 east of the Ghauts, the rains 

 occur when the wind blows from 

 the opposite quarter. The wet 

 season is ushered in with a 

 dreadful commotion of the ele- 



