THE RHINOCEROS. 



The ingenious and accurate Dr. Parfons publilhed a hiflory of the Rhinoceros 

 in 1743, an abftracl from which cannot but prove acceptable, on account of 

 its undoubted authenticity. The individual defcribed by him was brought 

 from Bengal, and although only two years old, the expence of the food and 

 journey amounted to near one thoufand pounds fterling ; his daily food was 

 feven pounds of rice, mixed with three pounds of fugar : and given him at 

 three meals ; befides which he had hay and green herbs, which laft he 

 preferred : he drank large quantities of water. His difpolition appeared to be 

 peaceable, and he readily fufFered all parts of his body to be touched. When 

 hungry, or ilruck by any one, he became mifchievous, and in both cafes 

 nothing appeafed him but food. When enraged, he Iprang forward, and 

 nimbly raifed himfelf to a conliderable height, pulhing at the fame time his 

 head furioufly againlt the walls, which he performed with amazing quicknefs, 

 notwithstanding his heavy afpect and unwieldy mafs. " I often obferved," 

 fays Dr. Parfons, " thefe movements produced by rage or impatience, 

 efpecially in the mornings before his rice and fugar were brought him. The 

 vivacity and promptitude of his motions, induced me to think, that he was 

 altogether unconquerable,, and that he could ealily overtake any man who 

 fhould offend him. 



" This Rhinoceros, at the age of two years, was not taller than a young 

 Cow that has never produced ; but his body was very long and very thick. 

 His head was difproportionably large. From the ears to the horn there was 

 a concavity, the two extremities of which, namely, the upper end of the 

 muzzle and the upper part near the ears were confiderably raifed. The horn, 

 which was not yet above an inch high, was black, fmooth at the top, but full 

 of wrinkles directed backwards at the bafe. The noftrils were fituated very 

 low, being not above an inch dhtant from the opening of the mouth. The 

 under lip was pretty limilar to that of an Ox ; but the upper lip had a great 

 refemblance to that of a Horfe, with this advantageous difference, that the 

 Rhinoceros can lengthen his, move it from fide to fide, roll it about a ftaff, and 

 feize with it any object he wifhes to carry to his mouth. The tongue of this 

 young Rhinoceros was foft like that of a Calf ; his eyes were without any 

 vivacity, in figure refembling thofe of a Hog, and were lituated lower or 



