THE ASIATIC RHINOCEROSES.
There are four different Rhinoceroses in Asia, of which two are characterised by the possession of one horn, while the remaining two possess two horns, as in the African species. All the adult Asiatic possess incisors or front teeth, which are conspicuous by their absence from the African species. The normal number of these is four in the upper, and four in the lower jaws, the median pair being the larger in the upper, and the smaller in the lower. The development of these teeth seems to stand in relation to the development of horns, those animals with the smallest horns being provided with the largest incisors. The most familiar is the INDIANRHINOCEROS(Rhinoceros unicornis=R. indicus, Cuvier), with a single horn on the nose, and thick naked skin covered with large boss-like granulations, which lies in massive folds on various parts of the body, and more especially behind and across the shoulders and before and across the thighs. There are a few stiff hairs on the tail and ears. It inhabits the East Indies, principally beyond the Ganges, and is recorded as having been found in Bengal, Siam, and Cochin-China. It is found in shady forests, the neighbourhood of rivers, and marshy places, its food consisting of herbage and branches of trees. The fully-grown animal rarely arrives at a greater height than five, and its average may be taken at four feet.
FRONT AND SIDE VIEWS OF HEAD OF SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS.(From the Proceedings of the Zoological Society.)
FRONT AND SIDE VIEWS OF HEAD OF SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS.(From the Proceedings of the Zoological Society.)
INDIAN RHINOCEROS.❏LARGER IMAGE
INDIAN RHINOCEROS.
❏LARGER IMAGE
Williamson, in his “Oriental Field Sports,” speaking of the Indian Rhinoceros, describes it as an inveterate enemy of Elephants, attacking whenever he can find them single, or, at least, not protected by a male of great bulk; ripping without mercy, and confiding in his coat of mail to defend him from the puny attacks of the females, as wellas to resist the tusks of young males. He relates that the apparent bluntness of the horn of the Indian Rhinoceros, which is about as broad at the base as it is high, would make it appear a somewhat insignificant weapon, and inadequate to penetrate any hard or tough substance. This, however, we are informed, is not the case, Elephants often being found dead, obviously, it is stated, from the wounds received from the horn of the Rhinoceros; and in one case, as is related by Williamson, a large male Elephant and Rhinoceros were found both dead together, the Elephant’s abdomen having been ripped open, and the Rhinoceros’s horn found transfixed beneath the ribs. Williamson also states that Major Lally, an officer of the Indian army, whose veracity is beyond question, while engaged in one of his hunting expeditions, and having arrived at the summit of a low range of hills, was suddenly presented with a distinct view of a most desperate engagement between a Rhinoceros and a large male Elephant, the latter, to all appearance, protecting a small herd which were retiring in a state of alarm. The Elephant was beaten, and decamped, followed by the Rhinoceros, into a heavy jungle, where much roaring was heard, but nothing could be discerned. From this we may conclude that the habit which Pliny describes of the Rhinoceros ripping open the Elephant is confirmed by modern observation.
THEJAVANRHINOCEROS(R. sondaicus=R. javanusof Cuvier) is a smaller representative of the Indian Rhinoceros, with the skin not so coarsely granulated, and the folds not so strongly marked. It is covered with a sparse growth of bristles, and its head and limbs are longer and more slender in their proportions than in the latter species. It inhabits Java and the Malay Peninsula, and the Sunderbunds of Bengal, living on herbage and the branches of trees.
THESUMATRANRHINOCEROS(R. sumatrensisof Cuvier) is the more commonly known of the two two-horned species inhabiting Asia. Its head is armed with two obtusely-pointed horns, its body is covered with bristles, and the folds of the skin are deep, and especially that behind the shoulder. The folds on the neck, however, are not so distinct as in the one-horned species.
THEHAIRY-EAREDRHINOCEROS(R. lasiotis) has been confounded by naturalists with the Sumatran species, until Dr. Sclater showed from the comparison of these two animals, in the Zoological Gardens, that they were specifically distinct. The former is characterised by the long hairy fringe to the ears, by the covering of long fine reddish hair on the body, the smoother and more finely granulated skin, and the shorter tail. The one in Regent’s Park was captured in January, 1868, under very singular circumstances, as described in the following extract from a Calcutta newspaper:—“The quiet station of Chittagong has been lately enlivened by the presence of a Rhinoceros. It appears that about a month ago some natives came into Chittagong and stated that a Rhinoceros had been found by them in a quicksand, and was quite exhausted with the efforts to relieve herself. They had attached two ropes to the animal’s neck, and with the assistance of about 200 men dragged her out, and keeping her taut between two ropes they eventually made her fast to a tree. The next morning, however, they found the Rhinoceros so refreshed, and making such efforts to free herself, that they were frightened, and made application to the magistrate of Chittagong for protection. The same evening Captain Hood and Mr. H. W. Wickes started with eight Elephants to secure the prize, and after a march of about sixteen hours to the south of Chittagong they came up with the animal. The Elephants, at the first sight of the Rhinoceros, were very much afraid, and bolted one and all, but after some exertion they were brought back and made to stand by. A rope was now with some trouble attached to the animal’s hind leg, and secured to an Elephant. At this juncture the Rhinoceros roared; the Elephants again bolted, and had it not been for the rope slipping from the leg of the Rhinoceros, that limb might have been pulled from the body. The Rhinoceros was, however, eventually secured with ropes between Elephants, and marched into Chittagong in perfect health. Two large rivers had to be crossed—first the Sungoo River, where the animal was towed between Elephants, for she could not swim, and could only just keep her head above water by paddling with the fore-feet like a Pig; and, secondly, the Kurnafoolie River, when the ordinary cattle ferry-boat was used. Thousands of natives thronged the march in, which occupied a few days, the temporary bamboo bridges on the Government road invariably falling in with the numbers collected thereon to watch the Rhinoceros crossing the stream below; and sometimes the procession was at least a mile in length. The ‘Begum,’ as the Rhinoceros has been named, is now free from all ropes, and kept within a stockade enclosure, having therein a good bath excavated in the ground, and a comfortable covered shed attached. She is already very tame, and will take plantain leaves or chupatties from the hand, and might almost be led about by a string.” Begum was ultimately brought to London, and sold to the Zoological Society for £1,250.
HAIRY-EARED RHINOCEROS. (From theProceedings of the Zoological Society.)
HAIRY-EARED RHINOCEROS. (From theProceedings of the Zoological Society.)