within a few inches of its extremity, then laterally compressed and margined
above and below by strong, short and wiry hair.
DIMENSIONS.
Feet. Inches.
Length from the tip of the nose to the
base of the ta il..................... n
of the t a i l .................................. 2 2
from the tip of the nose to the
hinder edge of the occiput.. 2 7^
from the hinder edge of the
nostril to the e y e ................ 0 11^
from the eye to the ear............ 0 Il£
Feet. Inches.
Length of the anterior horn, following
the curve ............................. l 91
of the posterior horn............. 1 9
Height at the shoulder ......... , . . . 5 0
at the crupper......................... 4 10
Circumference at the middle of the
b e lly ............................ 9 8
The only species yet known with which the present could be confounded,
is the Rhinoceros Bicornis of authors. Between them, however, many well
marked differences are to be discovered; but as it is our intention to enter
more at length on that subject in the Appendix, we shall only here particularise
a few of the external and more palpable ones. In the Rh. Keitloa, the
two horns are of equal, or nearly equal length; in Rh. Africanus, the posterior,
in neither sex, is ever much beyond a third of the length of the anterior
horn; the length of the head, in proportion to the depth, is very different
in the two. The neck of the new species is much longer than that of the
other, and the position and character of the cuticular furrows, destined to
facilitate the lateral motions of the head, are very different. Besides these,
many other diagnostic characters might be instanced ; such as the black
mark on the inside of the thigh of Keitloa,—the distinctly produced tip of
the upper lip ; and the comparatively few wrinkles on the snout and parts
around the eyes, when compared with those on the same places in Rh.
Bicornis, as will be seen by comparing the representation of the present spe-
cies with the next plate.
Considering the acumen which savages display in detecting differences between animals
nearly related, we may, with propriety, infer that the Keitloa has not, at least for many years,
been in the habit of generally extending his range higher than about 25° south latitude.* The
natives at and around Latakoo are only acquainted with two species, viz. Borili (.Rhinoceros
Bicornis, Auct.) and Mohoohoo (Rhinoceros Simus, Burch.) ; and those who were in our employ
declared, when they first saw the Keitloa, that it was not an animal of their country; and at once
enlarged upon the points in which it differed from Borili. During the discussion, an intelligent
Moharotsi, who was well acquainted with the animal, approached,—called him by his name, and
referred us to districts where we should find specimens in abundance. As he stated, it happened;
* That individuals of this species have approached Latakoo, or rather the country some sixty miles
to the north of it, we have sufficient evidence in the fact that Mr. Burchell, whose merits as a traveller
can be best appreciated by those who follow him in the same field, is at present in possession of the horns
of an individual which was killed by his hunters.
RHINOCEROS KEITLOA.
though every where the species appeared rare when compared with the others; and, after several
months’ wanderings, it was found that only sixty-eight individuals had been seen, eight of which
in one herd, (two of them, not more than half grown,) were disturbed by myself when
feeding near to the banks of a river we were descending. According to the evidence of the
natives, the Keitloa is o f a very savage disposition, on which account it is more feared than
Borili, which has also a character for ferocity. Its food consists o f small shrubs, or the
more delicate branches of brushwood, in collecting which, the prolongation o f the anterior extremity
of the upper lip proves a useful assistant. For a more detailed account of the manners
and habits of this species, we may refer to the Appendix hereafter to be published.
While in the neighbourhood o f the Tropic, we heard of two other species of the genus, which
exist still farther to the northward ; but, unfortunately, could not obtain any very circumstantial
evidence concerning them, as the persons who had seen them were only on a visit in the
country they inliabit. One of them was stated to approximate the Keitloa ; the other was described
as very different to any species previously seen by them, and to have only one long horn
towards the forehead. Now, though descriptions of objects furnished by such persons are
often inaccurate, from the circumstance of their not having been favourably situated for making
correct observations, as well as from a deficiency of language calculated to convey the information
they actually possess, I have always remarked that even a hasty examination seemed to
supply the savage with more accurate notions of the general characters of animals than it did
the civilized man, and therefore I do not despair of species such as they mentioned being yet
discovered.
It is in regard to the species with the single horn, that we experience the greatest hesitation
in receiving their evidence as credible, and, therefore, it is agreeable to have it corroborated by
the testimony of a man from a very different part of the country, as obtained and published by
a missionary of great research who resided a long time in Madagascar. The individual who
furnished Mr. Freeman with the account of the N.dzoo-dzoo, was a native o f the country
northward of Mozambique, and if we admit certain portions of the descriptions to be tainted
with errors, we can recognise in the remainder the genuine habits of a Rhinoceros, and probably
one of the species, with which our informants were slightly acquainted.
“ It appears,” observes Mr. Freeman, “ that the Ndzoo-dzoo is by no means rare in Makooa.
It is about the size of a horse, extremely fleet and strong. It has one single horn projecting
•from its forehead, from twenty-four to thirty inehes in length. This is flexible when the animal
is asleep; it can be curled like the trunk of the Elephant, but becomes perfectly firm and hard
when the animal is excited, and especially when (pursuing an enemy. Its disposition is extremely
fierce, and it universally attacks man if it sees him. The usual method of escape
adopted by the natives is, to climb up a dense and high tree, so as to avoid, if possible, being
seen. I f the animal misses his sight of the fugitive, he immediately gallops off to his haunt;
from whence it may be inferred that he is not endowed with the power of a keen scent. Should
he, however, espy his object in the tree, woe to the unfortunate native,—he begins to butt with
his horns,—strikes and penetrates the tree, and continues piercing it till it falls, when his victim
seldom escapes being gored to death. Unless the tree is of a large girth, he never fails in
breaking it down. Having killed his victim, he leaves him without devouring the carcase.
The male only is provided with the horn. The female has not anything of the kind.”*
South African Christian Recorder, Vol. i. p. 33.