RHINOCEROS BICORNIS. 
young specimens it is scarcely visible when the other is several inches in 
length. In the Rhinoceros Keitloa, again, the young have both horns of 
equal length. 
The present species, under the name of Rhinoster, has been familiarly known to the colonists 
of the Cape of Good Hope ever since 1652. In that year, when the Dutch first formed their 
settlement on the shores of Table Bay, this animal was a regular inhabitant of the thickets 
which clothed the lower slopes of Table Mountain. The abandonment of those spots by this 
animal as a measure of safety, probably constituted the commencement of a forced migration, 
which has continued to extend ever since, and which has led not only to the disappearance of 
the species from the districts within the present colonial limits, but also in a great measure to 
its removal from countries beyond those limits, as far as hunters efficiently armed are accus- 
tomed to resort. If a system, such as has hitherto prevailed, continues to exist, and the larger 
animals persevere in flying to avoid the effects of fire-arms, the time may arrive when the 
various species which formerly may have been scattered, each, in a peculiar locality of a large 
continent, will be huddled together ; and indeed an advance towards that period is in progress, 
as may be inferred from the concentration which is at present taking place in the interior of 
South Africa. Though many of the individuals which inhabited the countries where now not 
a single Rhinoceros is to be seen, were doubtless destroyed, yet it is equally certain that many 
others escaped, and thereby assisted in adding to the accumulation which is in progress in 
other localities. Until lately the present was the only species of the genus which was known 
to be receding from its native country, but of late another has been led to a like course ; and 
the Rhinoceros Simus which but a few years ago was common in the neighbourhood of 
Latakoo, has, since the more general introduction of fire-arms into that country, almost 
entirely ceased to approach within a hundred miles of it. From a consideration of the various 
facts which we have collected in relation to the species now under consideration, and which we 
shall detail more at length elsewhere, we feel disposed to regard it to a certain extent as a 
prisoner in the country it now inhabits, and are inclined to believe the southern extremity of 
the continent, and the country along the western coast towards Benguela to have once formed 
its favourite residence. 
Like the Keitloa, this species feeds upon brushwood and the smaller branches of dwarf-trees, 
from which circumstance it is invariably found frequenting wooded districts, and in those 
situations its course may often be traced by remarking the mutilations of the bushes. As 
it feeds but slowly, and besides passes much of its time in idleness, it must be regarded as a 
very moderate eater, and considering it appears to be fastidious in the choice of its food, it is 
fortunate for its comfort that it does not require more nourishment. Of the many shrubs 
which exist in the localities in which it resides, few comparatively appear formed for its choice, 
as it is to be seen approaching many and leaving them again without either injuring a branch 
or plucking a leaf. This evident nicety in the selection of its aliment makes it difficult to ima- 
gine how so many large animals as are sometimes congregated together within a very limited 
space can find sufficient for their consumption. Even admitting that the reproduction of the 
parts which the Rhinoceros may devour takes place with uncommon rapidity in the climates 
they inhabit, and consequently the shrubs are compai'atively soon in a condition to supply ano- 
ther meal, yet nevertheless, if these animals consumed in proportion to their bulk, they would 
of necessity be forced to be less particular in the choice of their food. 
