GRAND CAIRO. 95 
Having thus discussed the plants, we directed 
his attention to the quadTiipeds, birds, and other 
branches of natural history. His answers gave 
us as much reason to be convinced of Bruce s 
accuracy in this, as in the former part of his 
work. It would take up too much of the 
reader's attention to detail all the evidence we 
collected for this purpose. He added, that the 
rhinoceros was called CJiartiet by ihe, jibyssinicms ; 
and said that its horn, used for lining the interior 
of drinking-yessels, is considered as an antidote 
to poison. When the engraving representing 
the Ashkoko was placed before him, he recog- 
nised the animal, and related the circumstance 
mentioned by Bruce^ of its being considered as 
unclean, both by Christians and by Mohammedans. 
Speaking of its name, he made a curious dis- 
tinction ; saying that it is called Ashkoko in the 
Court language, but Gehre in the vulgar tongue. 
If there be a part of Bruce's work which is 
apparently fabulous, from its marvellous nature, 
it is the account he has given of that destruc- 
tive fly, the Zimb, or Tsaltsahja^; yet in the his- 
tory of this insect, as in every other instance. 
(3) See J5»"Mce's Travels, Appendix, p. 145, 
(4) Ibid. p. 188. See also vol. I. p. 388. 
