90 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
All the varieties of rhinoceros have the same 
peculiar formation of foot, confined to three horny 
toes, each of which forms nearly a half-circle. The 
horn of the Indian variety is so short as to be 
valueless as a trophy, and the length of 8 inches 
would be considered above the average, although 
the base is remarkably thick. 
I do not agree with Dr. Smith that the horns of 
the Ketloa are of equal length. It is quite possible 
that some may be equal, where the anterior horn 
has been ground away by long service ; but as a rule 
the anterior horn is considerably longer, and always 
different in shape, being rounded from its broad 
base, and continuing always round until it ter¬ 
minates in a sharp point. 
The posterior horn is flattened at the sides, and 
rises with a sharp edge along the ridge, with a 
raised centre, which forms a point. 
All rhinoceros horns are of the same texture, 
being simply agglutinated hairs, which, if cut in a 
thin transverse section and placed beneath a micro¬ 
scope, exhibit the capillary tubes glued together 
by a horny substance into a solid body. There is 
no material that can equal in toughness the horn 
of rhinoceros, and it has always been in request 
from time immemorial for various useful and 
other imaginary purposes. The belief that a 
cup formed of rhinoceros horn will detect poison 
is very common, and is thoroughly accepted by 
the Arabs of the Soudan. I have three in 
my possession, mounted in silver, which were 
