had a very fair front horn measuring fully nine inches, whilst that behind was little more than an inch or two.
In 1868 Captain Hood, Superintendent of Keddahs, and Mr. H.W. Wiches captured a new variety in Chittagong, and it has been named the Hairy-eared Rhinoceros (R. lasiotis). It has long hairy fringe to the ears, and long reddish hair on the body, the skin fine and granulated, the tail shorter. The only known specimen is, or was a short time ago, in our "Zoo," having been purchased for £1250.[1]
All Rhinoceroses, if caught young, are easily tamed. A dhoobey (washerman) had one for some time in Gowhatty, and it did not mind carrying burdens or letting people ride it. It is rather profitable to catch the little ones. If a cow with a calf is killed, the little one remains near the carcass. All Assamese villages have nets for catching various beasts, from Deer to Buffaloes, and it is easy to surround and capture the little one. One I captured was more savage than a Tiger; it was tethered by all four legs, and with a rope over its neck. It rushed open-mouthed at anyone it saw the first day, but soon quieted down. My two shikaries, Sookur (mahout) and Seetaram, his uncle, knew how to manage these animals. After grilling in the sun many hours Sookur poured a little milk over its head, and as it trickled down the little one curled up its lips; a little of the nourishment got into its mouth, which it' greatly appreciated, and it readily took all that was given it. The next morning plantains mashed in milk were given to it. After three days it would follow Sookur about anywhere, and in a week or ten days it was quite tame. I had two of them, and sold them to Jamrach's agent, an Afghan, for 1200 rupees, delivered in Gowhatty; but I believe I ought to have got double the amount. The milk of a cow Rhinoceros is thin and sweet, very like a woman's in the earlier stages of nursing. One I shot was milked by my seik overseer, and he got more than two quarts from it. I tasted it just to see what it was like.
All Rhinoceroses live on herbage, long grass, null, wild cardamom, and branches of trees. The upper lip protrudes beyond the lower, and is very pliable. They delight to lie in mud-holes, and I have even shot them lying in a clear rippling stream. I have shot them right and left with one ball each, on an occasion; but frequently I have killed them with but one ball each. Though
- ↑ Vide ante, p. 142.— Ed.
