HABITS OF THE RHINOCEROS. 
617 
THE RHINOCEROS. 
Several species of tlie Rhinoceros are still inhabitants of the north, and several others 
have long been extinct, and can only be recognized by means of their fossilized remains. Of 
the existing species, two or three are found in various parts of Asia and its islands, and the 
remainder inhabit several portions of Africa. Before examining the separate species, we will 
glance at some of the characteristics which are common to all the members of this very con- 
spicuous group. 
The so-called horn which projects from the nose of the Rhinoceros is a very remarkable 
structure, and worthy of a brief notice. It is in no way connected with the skull, but is simply 
a growth from the skin, and may take rank with hairs, spines, or quills, being indeed formed 
after a similar manner. If a Rhinoceros horn be examined — the species of its owner is quite 
immaterial — it will be seen to be polished and smooth at the tip, but rough and split into 
numerous filaments at the base. These filaments, which have a very close resemblance to those 
which terminate the plates of whalebone, can be stripped upwards for some length, and if the 
substance of the horn be cut across, it will be seen to be composed of a vast number of hairy 
filaments lying side by side, which, when submitted to the microscope, and illuminated by 
polarized light, glow with all the colors of the rainbow, and bear a strong resemblance to 
transverse sections of actual hair. At the birth of the young animal, the horn is hardly visi- 
ble, and its full growth is the work of years. 
As the horn is employed as a weapon of offence, and is subjected to violent concussions, it 
is set upon the head in such a manner as to save the brain from the injurious effects which 
might result from its use in attack or combat. In the first place, the horn has no direct con- 
nection with the skull, as it is simply set upon the skin, and can be removed by passing a 
sharp knife round its base, and separating it from the hide on which it grows. In the second 
place, the bones of the face are curiously developed, so as to form an arch with one end free, 
the horn being placed upon the crown of the bony arch, so as to diminish the force of the con- 
cussion in the best imaginable manner. The substance of the horn is very dense, and even 
when it is quite dry, it possesses very great weight in proportion to its size. In former days, 
it was supposed to bear an antipathy to poison, and to cause effervescence whenever liquid 
poison was poured upon it. Goblets were therefore cut from this material, and when gor- 
geously mounted in gold and precious stones, were employed by Eastern monarchs as a ready 
means for detecting any attempt to administer a deadly drug. 
The skin of the Rhinoceros is of very great thickness and strength, bidding defiance to 
ordinary bullets, and forcing the hunter to provide himself with balls which have been hard- 
ened with tin or solder. The extreme strength of the skin is well known both to the Asiatic 
and African natives, who manufacture it into shields and set a high value on these weapons of 
defence. 
All the species of Rhinoceros are very tetchy in their temper, and liable to flash out into 
anger without any provocation whatever. During these fits of rage, they are dangerous neigh- 
bors, and are apt to attack any moving object that may be within their reach. In one well- 
known instance, where a Rhinoceros made a sudden dash upon a number of picketed horses, 
and killed many of them by the strokes of his horn, the animal had probably been irritated by 
some unknown cause, and wreaked his vengeance on the nearest victims. During the season 
of love, the male Rhinoceros is always vicious, and, like the elephant, the buffalo, and other 
animals in the like condition, will conceal himself in some thicket, and from thence dash out 
upon any moving object that may approach his retreat. 
Sometimes the Rhinoceros will commence a series of most extraordinary antics, and seem- 
ing to have a spite towards some particular bush, will rip it with his horn, trample it with his 
feet, roaring and grunting all the while, and will never cease until he has cut it into shreds 
and levelled it with the ground. He will also push the point of his horn into the earth, and 
career along, ploughing up the ground as if a furrow had been cut by some agricultural imple- 
