THE RHINOCEROS. 



apophyfe as feemingly to make but one part with it. In a full-grown animal 

 it is fometimes near four feet long, and fix or feven inches in diameter at the 

 bafe. Its general colour is brown ; though fome have been feen grey, and 

 even white, and thefe are held in greater! efteem. Martial informs us (a) 

 that the horn was much valued by the Romans, and bore a high price, and 

 that the ladies of fafhion ufed them in the baths to hold their elfence-bottles 

 and oils. It is likewife much valued in India, and Pope Clement VII. 

 prefented one to the King of France as a very choice rarity. The Venetians 

 purchafed one at a high price of a Jew ; and it is related (b) that when the 

 French plundered the palace of Peter de Medicis, they found the horn of a 

 Rhinoceros, which they coniidered as a great treafure. The ideal value is 

 however now much leiTened, and it is only preferved in the cabinets of the 

 curious. Many medicinal virtues have been afcribed to it, but without 

 foundation. 



The age of this animal is not afcertained with any degree of certainty. 

 The female produces but one young one at a time, and at conliderable 

 periods. If it is true, as fome fay, that they bring forth at three years, it is 

 probable, from analogy, that they do not outlive twenty. 



The Rhinoceros delights in marlhy and luxuriant pafhires, and grazes as 

 the Ox does; but its favourite food is the ftinking Hapelia (c). It is fond of 

 wallowing in the mud like a Hog, and will plunge into the water like a 

 Duck to cool itfelf. 



As the Rhinoceros is naturally of a pacific temper, it is probable that the 

 account Pliny gives x>f its engaging the Elephant is without foundation. It 

 is a folitary animal, and never attacks man but when provoked : it then 

 becomes very furious and formidable. Mr. Pennant mentions a Shropmire 

 gentleman whofe belly was ripped open by the horn of one of thefe animals 

 while in India, and he was fo fortunate as to furvive it. 



The ufual method of taking this animal, is in pits dug in the paths by 

 whicji they go to drink, and covered over dexteroufly with branches, 

 grafs, &c. It is alfo fometimes mot in the belly as it lies lleeping on one 



(a) Martial, lib. xiw Epig. 53. (b) Paul Jov. Hift. Anim. lib. xviii. (c) Botanic Mag. vol, i. 



