here was but one species of rhinoceros in the
world--that is _the_ rhinoceros. Is it not so? Yes.

Well, permit me to inform you, that you have been under a wrong
impression. There are quite a number of distinct species of this very
singular animal. At least eight distinct kinds I know of; and I do not
hesitate to say that when the central parts of Africa have been fully
explored, as well as South Asia and the Asiatic islands, nearly half as
many more will be found to exist.

In South Africa four distinct species are well known; one in North
Africa differs from all these; while the large Indian rhinoceros bears
but slight resemblance to any of them. A distinct species from any is
the rhinoceros of Sumatra, an inhabitant of that island; and still
another is the Java rhinoceros, found in the island of Java. Thus we
have no less than eight kinds, all specifically differing from one
another.

The natives of South Africa are acquainted with four distinct species of
rhinoceros, to which they give distinct names; and it may be remarked
that this observation of species by native hunters is far more to be
depended upon than the speculations of mere closet-naturalists, who draw
their deductions from a tubercle, or the tooth, or a stuffed skin.
Gordon Cumming, for example, the most distinguished of all African
hunters has done more to increase the knowledge of African zoology than
a whole college full of "speculating" _savans_.

This same Gordon Cumming has written a most interesting account of his
hunting experiences, tells you that there are four kinds of rhinoceros
in Southern Africa; and no man is likely to know better than he.

These four kinds are known among the natives as the "borele," the
"keitloa," the "muchocho," and "kobaoba." The two first are "black
rhinoceroses,"--that is, the general colour of their skin is dark--while
the "muchocho" and "kobaoba" are white varieties, having the skin of a
dingy whitish hue. The black rhinoceroses are much smaller--scarce half
the size of the others, and they differ from them in the length and set
of their horns, as well as in other particulars.

In the form and length of their neck, the set of their ears, and other
respects, the black rhinoceroses differ materially from the white ones.
In fact, their habits are quite unlike. The former feed chiefly on the
leaves and twigs of thorns, such as the _Acacia horrida_, or
"wait-a-bits," while the latter live upon grass. The former a