OCR Text |
Show 1871.] MR. SCLATER ON RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS. 9 enclosures, by placing his horn under it. After repeating these attempts several times, in spite of the interference of the keepers, his efforts were such that the horn became suddenly detached under the violent pressure to which it was subjected, and rolled off into the yard. The animal appeared to be much hurt, and roared lustily for a few minutes. There was a considerable loss of blood from the wound, which, however, healed in a few days, neat's-foot oil being applied to it to keep off the flies. Head of male Rhinoceros before the horn was tora off (August 10th, 1870). " The horn, as will be seen (fig. 1), measures about 12 inches in length along its anterior surface, which curves gradually backward; the widened3base is 8| inches in long diameter, and 5£ inches across. The lower surface presents a considerable cavity, about If inch in depth, upon examining which it is clearly seen that the whole horn has been cleanly torn away from the matrix. " Very soon after the loss of the old horn, we observed indications that a new horn was forming. This has increased rapidly in size, and is now already perhaps l| inch in height. It is thus certain that the Rhinoceros has the power of reproducing its horn, after the existing one has been broken off. I am well aware that this fact has already been noticed by different explorers and observers |