5C 



THE HORSE 



the existing Sumatran rhinoceros, but it differed in 

 important cranial characters. 



The existing species of rhinoceros are naturally 

 grouped in three sections, which some zoologists consider 

 of generic value. 



1. Rhinoceros proper. The adults with a single 

 large compressed incisor tooth above on each side, and 

 occasionally a very small lateral one ; below, a very small 

 median, and a very large, procumbent, pointed, lateral 

 incisor (or canine?). Nasal bones pointed in front. A 

 single nasal horn. Skin disposed in very massive, defi- 

 nitely arranged armour-like plates, with soft interspaces 

 or joints between them. 



There are two well-marked species of one-horned 

 rhinoceros : — 



1. The Indian rhinoceros, R. unicornis of Linnaeus, 1 

 the largest and best known, from being the most fre- 

 quently exhibited alive in England, is at present only 



1 Many authors use Cuvier's name, B. indicus, in preference to 

 this, on the ground that there are more than one species with one 

 horn, forgetting that the name substituted is equally inconvenient, 

 as more than one species live in India. The fact of a specific name 

 being applicable to several members of a genus is no objection to its 

 restriction to the first to which it was applied, otherwise changes in 

 old and well-received names would constantly have to be made in 

 consequence of new discoveries. Ill-considered attempts at precision 

 of nomenclature are often sources of confusion and future difficulty. 

 As Huxley has truly said, 4 It is better for science to accept a faulty 

 name which has the merit of existence, than to burden it with a 

 faultless newly-invented one.' 



