The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-02
CORNER IN RHINOCERosEs.
Worlds Supply Limited to Twelve, of
Which New York Has Two.

The rhinoceros market is cornered. Not
b. single one Of this ueliest of ugly beasts
As TO be had In the open markets of the
world Neither circus managers nor
meuagerie owners can secure one, for
the worlds visible supply OF rhinoceroses
Nor perhaps it should be rhinocerD is
limited 10 u specimens. New York
holds two specimens one a handsome"
Malay of the Big Indian" variety, now
residing in apparent contentment in the
New York Geological Park, and the
other, a black African. is in the Cen
tral Park collection
According to Director w. IT. HOrna-
day of the New York Geological Park,
the sun of the 'rhino' is fast setting
MOT only is he an exceptionally scarce
article in captivity, but he has become
so rare in the wild state as to be al
ready regarded as among the semi-ex-
ainct animals If the seeming paradox
may be permitted.
The jungles of India and the wilds Of
africa, the only habitat of the leathern
monsters, have for months been Vainly
searched for rhinocerOses, as the de-
mand of circus collectors and menager-
tes is great.
The market value of an able-bodied
FhinOceros has, until the present short
age in supply became known, ranged
from 81 GOO to $1,000. Now several mana
gers of large circuses would be willing
10 pay twice or thrice that sum If price
were any object in securing the beasts.
3n New York only one, the Central park
specimen, is full grown. The latter ami
NAL is regarded as the most remarkable
ever raptured She was purchased for
81. 600 in 1856 from W. w Cole. the show
man. and had then been in captivity
since 1873 For thirteen years she
Travelled in a small cage all over the
world. averaging 1900 miles year.
when she entered the Central Park
Zoo she bore the name Smiles" an
ironical c0gnomen. which has never
changed.
Smiles is thirty-three years old. and
bears the unique distinction of pos
sessing two tongues, one above the
other. operating Independently but att
tached to the same root Geological eX-
rerts have examined her from time 20
time. but no satisfactory explanation of
tne double tongue has ever been of.
fered
Smiles two years ago began to fail
an health. and became so stilfened with
rheumatism contracted from continuel.
residence ON concrete floor. that she
refused to eat, and was unable to move
Ia block and tackle was rugged ana
after much effort Smiles was removed
from the lion house to a large cage in
the elephant house. where Keeper WI
liam Snyder was given charge of her.
Careful nursing and the board floor
cage worked wonders, and today the
animal lis regarded as one of the health
lest I'm the collection.
She receives an oil bath fortnight1y.
the keeper applying neatsfoot oil with a
brush after Smiles has been securely
roDed down. This Is necessary to leer.
the hide soft and healthy. Two enor-
NOUS horns. one nearly yard long and
the other only slightly shorter, project
from the animals nose
Her daily diet consists Of six loaves
OF fresh bread and ten quarts Of a hot
mash, made from bran, oats. carrots
apples and potatoes Smiles is fond of
sweets, and is a great pet eating pea
nuts popcorn or candy from the hands
Of visitors with cagerness and docility
Keeper Snyder declares Smiles rs good
FOR many more years of life. He expects
her to reach the age Of seventy-five