The female is coloured like the male, and her horns, though less powerful,
are generally longer, especially the anterior one.
Mohoohoo, the name of this species among the Bechuanas, is considered by them to be one
of the original animals of their country, and to have issued from the same cave out of which
their own forefather proceeded: in this respect they make a difference between it and Keitloa,
with whose origin they do not profess to be acquainted. Too much attention cannot be paid to
the traditions o f savages: what in them often appears calculated only to excite ridicule, may,
properly considered, be often made to furnish the most valuable information. Thus, for instance,
by attending to what has been termed a useless tradition, we get to know, not merely
that the Bechuanas believe the founders of their own nation and the animals of their country
originally escaped from a large cave, but also facts of interest touching the geographical distribution
of animals, inasmuch as we may rest satisfied, after being aware of the prevalence of
the tradition referred to, that all the animals we now find in their country, to whose progenitors
the aforementioned birth-place is not assigned, have immigrated thither since the tradition
became current. Every portion, however, of such traditions must not be literally received,
else we shall find travellers who may hereafter visit South Africa propagating errors not
less detrimental to the progress o f true science than those which were circulated by Kolben,
one of the first Cape historians, whose indiscreet credulity led him, to relate most extraordinary
fictions, inter alias, one relative to the powers the Rhinoceros exercised over his horns,—powers
which, had he ever examined into the manner in which these bodies were connected with the
parts around and below them, would have been too clearly imaginary to have warranted
even the greatest lover o f the marvellous in believing them.
When Mr. Burchell, who first added Rhinoceros simus to the African Faunaf visited
Latakoo, he found it common in that district, and we have been told by the aborigines that it
was not unfrequently found even further to the southward. Of late, however, it has almost
ceased to exist even in the situations where its discoverer met it, which is accounted for by the
danger to which it is exposed being now much increased from the general introduction o f firearms
among the Bechuanas.
The facility of discriminating this species is great: the extraordinary length o f the first
horn and the hunch on the shoulders are sufficient, even in the distance; but on a nearer view
additional characters are at once visible; among those the peculiar configuration o f the mouth is
the most palpable. The form of the latter at once suggests the kind of food upon which the
animal probably subsists, and an examination of the contents of the stomach, which are principally
grass, confirms the accuracy of the inference. Localities abounding in grass are therefore
the haunts of the Mohoohoo, and to enjoy them throughout the year he is necessitated to
lead a more wandering life than the two species already figured.