THE RHIN ASTER, OR BORELE. 
619 
kind of dread, as an adult male has been seen to fly in terror before the attack of one of the 
native wild dogs. The head of this species is peculiarly long, a characteristic which is observ- 
able in the skull as well as in the living animal. 
Of African Rhinoceroses four species are clearly ascertained, and it is very probable that 
others may yet be in existence. Two of the known species are black, and the other two 
white ; the animals differing from each other not only in color, but in form, dimensions, habits, 
and disposition. The commonest of the African species is the Borele, Ruin aster, or Little 
Black Rhinoceros, of Southern Africa ; an animal which may be easily distinguished from 
its relations by the shape of the horns and the upper lip. In the Borele the foremost horn is 
of considerable length, and bent rather backward, while the second horn is short, conical, and 
much resembles the weapon of the Indian animal. The head is rather rounded, and the pointed 
upper lip overlaps the lower, and is capable of considerable extension. 
The Borele is a very fierce and dangerous animal, and is more feared by the natives than 
even the lion. Although so clumsy in shape and aspect, it is really a quick and active creature, 
darting about with lightning speed, and testing the powers of a good horse to escape from its 
charge. Like many other wild animals, it becomes furiously savage when wounded, but it 
will sometimes attack a passenger without the least provocation. On one occasion an angry 
Rhinoceros came charging down upon a wagon, and struck his horn into the bottom plank 
with such force as to send the wagon forward for several paces, although it was sticking in 
deep sand. He then left the wagon, and directed his attack upon the fire, knocking the 
burning wood in every direction, and upsetting the pot which had been placed on the fire. He 
then continued his wild career in spite of the attempts of a native who flung his spear at him, 
but without the least effect, as the iron point bent against the strong hide. 
The skin of this animal does not fall in heavy folds, like that of the Asiatic species, but is 
nevertheless extremely thick and hard, and will resist an ordinary leaden bullet, unless it be 
fired from a small distance. The skin is employed largely in the manufacture of whips, or 
jamboks, and is prepared in a rather curious manner. When the hide is removed from the 
animal it is cut into strips of suitable breadth and laid on the ground. These strips are then 
hammered for some time in order to condense the substance of the skin, and when they are dry 
are carefully rounded with a knife and polished with sand-paper. One of these whips will 
continue serviceable for several years. The horn of the Borele, from its comparatively small 
dimensions, is not so valuable as that of the other species, but is still employed in the manu- 
facture of drinking-cups and sword-handles. Its value is about half that of ivory. 
The food of the Black Rhinoceros, whether the Borele or the keitloa, is composed of roots, 
which the animal ploughs out of the ground with its horn, and of the young branches and 
shoots of the wait-a-bit thorn. It is rather remarkable that the black species is poisoned by 
one of the Euphorbiacese, which is eaten with impunity by the two white animals. 
When wounded, the Black Rhinoceros is a truly fearful opponent, and it is generally 
considered very unsafe to fire at the animal unless the hunter is mounted on a good horse or 
provided with an accessible place of refuge. An old experienced hunter said that he would 
rather face fifty lions than one wounded Borele ; but Mr. Oswell, the well-known African 
sportsman, always preferred to shoot the Rhinoceros on foot. The best place to aim is just 
behind the shoulder, as, if the lungs are wounded, the animal very soon dies. There is but 
little blood externally, as the thick loose skin covers the bullet-hole, and prevents any outward 
effusion. When mortally wounded the Rhinoceros generally drops on its knees. 
It is at all times a rather savage beast, and is apt to quarrel with its own kind. Mr. 
Andersson mentions a curious battle of which he was an eye-witness, where four of these animals 
engaged furiously with each other. Two of them he contrived to shoot, and found that one 
was absolutely unfit for food, being covered with festering wounds which had been received in 
former encounters. The flesh of this animal is tolerably good, but that of the black species is 
rather tough, and possesses a bitter and unpleasant flavor, in consequence of the food on 
which the animal lives. The white species feeds almost exclusively on grass, and its flesh is 
remarkably good and tender. The Borele is a nocturnal animal, rousing himself from sleep 
