The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-03


literature concerning tho former greatly ex-
ceeds that which relates to the latter. What
is called tho Sumatrau rhinoceros, though the
samo species in Maacca and Bornoo is probably
more numerous audi certainly more familiar to
civilized men, belongs 60 the genus ceratorhInus'
1T has one horn, and tho same dental formula
as K indicus, but gland at the back OF its foot
like this form, aud its SIX in is also less distinctly
loidOdi the ears are lined. instead OF being
iringed, with hair, and, by all accounts, it
scarcely ever exceeds eight feet in length.
Sclater's species. inhabiting Chittagong aud
Assam, and likewise described by DR.. Jerdon
anu Col. Pollok, in British Burmah. is supposed
by H. IL. Wright TO be the northern representa-
tive of tho Samaritan form, but differs. accord
ing to this naturalist, from its cOugener in
certain features. Tho rufescent-bairs on its
body give it light brown tint markedly con.
trasted with tho dark, slate colored hue OF tho
former animal; its ears are also placed further
apart than IS tho case with that above men
tened. and are fringed, not lined, with hair.
LiKcwiso the tail IS comparatively short and
tutted, and i'll average hight il exceeds its ally
by Mt least six inches. Such. in brief. are the
textures distinguishing the Asatic and insuar
group and postponing for tho present review
OF the very conflicting evideuCo concerning the
habits and character of its members, we may
now consider tho physical traits which tho
family exhibits III Africa. Thoro are certainly
two species OF rhinoCcros In the Dark CONT
nent." which have been multiplied into half u
dozen by numerous observers. These aro re-
spectiveiy Atclodus sinus, or the white rhimoc-
eros, though why it should be designated as
white when its skin Is n dark slate color"
according to SelOnss description, i'm fact Of the
same hue with that of tho so.called "black
rhinocoT0s, no man eau say. Tho second
Atciodus species, bicOrnis or the two. horned
form, IS named with equal appropriateness,
since
EVERY ANIMAL or THIS KIND IN AFRICA
HAS TWO HORNS.
Apart from their defective titles however,
these creatures are quito distinctly marked.
aud also strongly contTasted with each othor
in many respects A. sinus Is an immense
animal only inferior in bulk TO tho elephant;
but, unlike its smaller associate Of tho same
family, 10 Is "a peaceable, grass-eatinR, square
mouthed brute, whose upper.iip Is considerably
shorter and much less prehensile than that OF
tho comparatively small, vicious browsing spe-
cies called BY Drummond Il. bcornis and K.
keitloa. Tho white rhInocero5 IS constantly
found measuring six feet in hight ut the shout
der and its anterior horn reaches in the male
length OF four feet and is usually much worn
away on the under side. from friction with tho,
ground. IL las tho dispr0portionally large
head belonging to tho order. but more greatly
enlarged than that Of any Of the Rhnoccrda.
Its brain, however, like that of all ungnatcs
included in both orders is small. and would
seem, from the dissection made by Sir w. &.
Harris, TO DO placed uhusually low down and
far forward. In common with every member
of the group its sight is defective. while tho
senses of hearing aud smell arc highly devel-
oped. This animal Is now nearly extinct in
the west aud south of Africa. where It once
abOunded. but a few may yet be found in the
valley of the Sabi River
With regard 10 A. bcornis and the various
species INTO which forms of this kind have
been separated. chiefly on account Of alleged
specific characters which they present with
respect TO their horns 10 is sufficient 90 say
that there is Mt this time In the British Mu.
scum collection OF thcse dermal appendages
which form a complete series aud comprehend
all those varieties that have been assumed 10
possess n satisfactory value sufficiently great
to warrant IA division such as that referred 10.
This animal. the umpeyRan and bOrele OF the
MatabCo and Bechuana tribes,
LIVES EXCLUSIVELY uros LEAVES AND
SHOOTS,
and therefore is not fotind upon the grassy
plains frcquented by A. sinus. Most of the
moro prominent fenfnrca belonging TO il have
been already mentioned. and need not be
cnpiiulated. 1t abounds In various localities
throughout east Africa, Int mono are discover.
able. in these days at least, in the great game
country between the Chobe and Zamhcsi Riv-
crs. The range Of A. biedrnis extends north
ward into Abyssinia.
Turning now 10 the examination of the rhi.
noeeross character, we encounter mass Of
contradictory statements fully equal to those
which have bccu recorded concerning the lion.
tiger, or elephant. According TO their usual
custom, Observers concluded generally from
their own limited experiences, and assumed