Skull. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Selous, F.C., 1882. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa.
Head. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Campbell, John, 1815. In coll. London Missionary Society, London, United Kingdom
Young, in spirits. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Baines, Thomas, 1862. In Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
Skull. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Gordon Cumming, R.. In Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
Horns. Locality: Abyssinia. Collected by: Salt, Henry, 1811. In Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
Skeleton. Sex: Female. Locality: Cape of Good Hope. Collected by: Verreaux, Ed., 1846. In Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.
Skull. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Selous, F.C., 1882. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa.
Head. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Selous, F.C., 1882. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa.
Head. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Selous, F.C., 1882. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa.
Mounted skin. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe. Collected by: Eyre, Arthur, 1895. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa. Donated by Cecil Rhodes
Skeleton. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe. Collected by: Eyre, Arthur, 1895. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa. Donated by Cecil Rhodes
Skin of adult. Sex: Female. Locality: Cape Colony. In Museum Naturalis, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Skin. In Museum Naturalis, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Head with horns. Locality: Cape. Collected by: Burke, for Lord Derby. In coll. Liverpool Museum, United Kingdom.
Skull. Locality: Cape. Collected by: Burke, for Lord Derby. In coll. Liverpool Museum, United Kingdom.
Skin, young adult. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Coryndon, R.T., 1893. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Skeleton. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Coryndon, R.T., 1893. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
. Locality: Central Africa. Collected by: Denham & Clapperton, 1822-1824. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Skin. Locality: South Africa, Zululand. Collected by: Varndell, C.R., 1894. In coll. Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, South Africa. Donated by Carl Jeppe
Anterior horn, record. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Gordon Cumming, R.. In coll. W. Gordon Cumming, United Kingdom
Anterior horn. Locality: Zimbabwe. Found by Mr Penfold. In coll. Graham Renshaw, United Kingdom
Head. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Selous, F.C., 1882. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa.
Anterior horn. Locality: Zimbabwe. Found by Mr Penfold. In coll. Graham Renshaw, United Kingdom
Skin, young adult. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Coryndon, R.T., 1893. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Skeleton. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Coryndon, R.T., 1893. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Skull. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Gordon Cumming, R.. In Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
Anterior horn, record. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Gordon Cumming, R.. In coll. W. Gordon Cumming, United Kingdom
Thus has the great white rhinoceros practically vanished from South Africa, where once it occurred in a teeming abundance difficult to realise at the present day. One cannot expect that the few survivors (now protected as far as possible) will restore the race, though the belated game regulations are no dead letter. In 1897-8 two Europeans who had killed a pair of simus (the female being in calf) were very properly compelled to pay a heavy fine. Such stringent measures at an earlier date might have saved to future generations of South African naturalists - and under proper restrictions, of sportsmen also- this curious behemoth, whose monstrous size and antediluvian appearance constitute it a worthy ally of the hornless amynodon and the huge elasmotherium of Miocene and Pleistocene times.
Head. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Campbell, John, 1815. In coll. London Missionary Society, London, United Kingdom
Hide. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Coryndon, R.T., 1893. In coll. Tring Museum, Tring, United Kingdom
Skull. Locality: Cape. Collected by: Burke, for Lord Derby. In coll. Liverpool Museum, United Kingdom.
Head with horns. Locality: Cape. Collected by: Burke, for Lord Derby. In coll. Liverpool Museum, United Kingdom.
. Locality: Central Africa. Collected by: Denham & Clapperton, 1822-1824. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Anterior horn. Locality: Zimbabwe. Found by Mr Penfold. In coll. Graham Renshaw, United Kingdom
Stuffed hide. Sex: Male. Collected by: Versailles Menagerie, 1793. In Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.
Skeleton. Sex: Female. Locality: Cape of Good Hope. Collected by: Verreaux, Ed., 1846. In Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.
Skin. Locality: South Africa, Zululand. Collected by: Varndell, C.R., 1894. In coll. Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, South Africa. Donated by Carl Jeppe
Skull. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Selous, F.C., 1882. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa.
Skull. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Gordon Cumming, R.. In Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
Young, in spirits. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Baines, Thomas, 1862. In Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
Head. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Campbell, John, 1815. In coll. London Missionary Society, London, United Kingdom
Dr. Gregory, in his work on the Great Rift Valley, mentions having seen in Leikipia three rhinoceroses, which he believed to be of this species, though unfortunately none of the three were obtained:
Hide. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Coryndon, R.T., 1893. In coll. Tring Museum, Tring, United Kingdom
Skeleton. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Coryndon, R.T., 1893. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Skin, young adult. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Coryndon, R.T., 1893. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Stuffed hide. Sex: Male. Collected by: Versailles Menagerie, 1793. In Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.
Horns. Locality: Abyssinia. Collected by: Salt, Henry, 1811. In Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
Head with horns. Locality: Cape. Collected by: Burke, for Lord Derby. In coll. Liverpool Museum, United Kingdom.
Horns. Locality: Abyssinia. Collected by: Salt, Henry, 1811. In Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
Skeleton. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe. Collected by: Eyre, Arthur, 1895. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa. Donated by Cecil Rhodes
Mounted skin. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe. Collected by: Eyre, Arthur, 1895. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa. Donated by Cecil Rhodes
Young, in spirits. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Baines, Thomas, 1862. In Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
. Locality: Central Africa. Collected by: Denham & Clapperton, 1822-1824. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Hide. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe, Mashonaland. Collected by: Coryndon, R.T., 1893. In coll. Tring Museum, Tring, United Kingdom
Mounted skin. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe. Collected by: Eyre, Arthur, 1895. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa. Donated by Cecil Rhodes
Skeleton. Sex: Male. Locality: Zimbabwe. Collected by: Eyre, Arthur, 1895. In South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa. Donated by Cecil Rhodes
Anterior horn, record. Locality: South Africa. Collected by: Gordon Cumming, R.. In coll. W. Gordon Cumming, United Kingdom
Skull. Locality: Cape. Collected by: Burke, for Lord Derby. In coll. Liverpool Museum, United Kingdom.
Skeleton. Sex: Female. Locality: Cape of Good Hope. Collected by: Verreaux, Ed., 1846. In Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.
Skin. Locality: South Africa, Zululand. Collected by: Varndell, C.R., 1894. In coll. Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, South Africa. Donated by Carl Jeppe
Skin of adult. Sex: Female. Locality: Cape Colony. In Museum Naturalis, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Sir H. H. Johnston, in his work on British Central Africa, states that a pair of horns, resembling those of the white rhinoceros, and obtained near the Ruo River, were sent home in 1895. The anterior horn was very long, slender, and directed forwards (kab
2. When Denham and Clapperton returned home from their Central African expedition of 1822-24, they presented to the British Museum two remarkable light-coloured and transparent horns. It is interesting to remember that the horns of the white rhinoceros are pale-coloured on section, and that Sir A. Smith (who had practical experience of R. simus in Southern Africa) himself suggested that if not those of young simus, they must belong to some unknown species of rhinoceros. 'The horns of Rh. simus, 'said Sir Andrew, 'possess more of the above characters than any others yet known.'
The horns of the white rhinoceros are pale-coloured, and those of the black rhinoceros are black, hence since these structures are but agglutinated hair, it may be inferred that if these anmals' bodies were hirsute instead of naked, then would R. simus be truly white, and R. bicornis truly black. Any person who has examined a front horn of the white rhinoceros will admit that the pale bristles sprouting from the base of the horn are themselves half way in structure to hair. Further, I have recently examined a front horn of the allied extinct Rhinoceros antiquitatis, and this strikingly resembled a white rhinoceros horn in my possession. Both specimens were markedly fibrous in texture, translucent, and had the posterior margin sharply defined. At its base the fossil horn was split up into bristly fibres, just like that of the white rhinoceros of the present day: in section it showed also exactly the hue which is seen in its living congener, so that the horns of the two species agreed remarkably in many ways. We are thus led up to a most interesting speculation for since Pallas* described the frozen carcase of the woolly rhinoceros which was found in December, 1771, on the banks of the Viloui River, as covered with ash-coloured hair, one may retrace the steps of evolution and fancifully picture the living white rhinoceros of recent times clad in a furry robe of silvery grey. Truly, in such a case, would the white rhinoceros well deserve its name!
Dr. Gunning, of the Pretoria Museum and Zoological Gardens, kindly informs me that four individuals still linger near Lake Ngami: there were eleven before the outbreak of the war in 1899, four in Zululand, and seven near Ngami.
early records of Ceratotherium simum cottoni. 3. Speke has stated that his party in 1864 shot several of the `white two-horned rhinoceros' in Karagweh, East Africa, and expressly says that the species killed was larger than the black rhinoceros. 4. Sta
Count Teleki mentions a white rhinoceros amongst the animals shot by his party during his Lake Rudolph expedition of 1887-88.
reduction in numbers - Ceratotherium simum. The first definite sign of the decadence of Rhinoceros simus which appears on studying the history of the species, is a circumstance related by Sir Andrew Smith. He tells us that when his expedition of 1836 passed into Bechuanaland, the white rhinoceros had already receded further north, owing to continual persecution, and was not found within a hundred miles of Letakoo, where Burchell had met with it in abundance in 1812. For many years afterwards, however, the animal continued plentiful in the far interior. Harris found it extremely abundant in the Cashan mountains (Magaliesberg), the future environs of Pretoria being in 1836 and for long afterwards a vast natural zoological park, replete with great game. Cumming, Andersson, Oswell, and others have left behind records showing that in the middle of the last century simus was still plentiful. Several causes, however, were fast contributing to its downfall. In 1850 the north-trekking Boers began systematically to exterminate the splendid fauna of South Africa, the persecution being continued in season and out of season, without intermission. Giraffe, elephant, buffalo, eland, hartebeest, and a host of other noble forms diminished rapidly under their attacks, and the Boers were aided by a multitude of native gunners which the advance of civilisation had provided with more or less reliable firearms. Prominent in the host of vanishing creatures stood the great white rhinoceros, whose immense size promised a corresponding amount of meat and at certain seasons an abundance of fat also to his destroyers. The very harmlessness of the unfortunate colossus was but an added incitement to the destruction of so meek a quarry. `He was just the very thing for young gunners to try their prentice hand on,' said Oswell. These considerations eventually compassed the death of almost every white rhinoceros south of the Zambesi, and so rapidly was the animal shot out, that like the true quagga, the American bison and the northern sea-cow, it had practically vanished before it was even recognised as rare. In 1880 hunters began to notice the great scarcity of Rhinoceros simus: it was hardly to be found even by the most diligent search over the very plains once so abundantly enlivened by its burly presence. Scientific naturalists abruptly realised that it had all but vanished from Southern Africa.
In 1903, Dr. Gunning, of the Pretoria Museum and Zoological Gardens, kindly informs me that four individuals still linger near Lake Ngami: there were eleven before the outbreak of the war in 1899, four in Zululand, and seven near Ngami.
The white rhinoceros is a larger animal than the black species, from which it may at once be differentiated by the square, rubber-like and non-prehensile upper lip. Other distinguishing characters of Rhinoceros simus are the slit-like nostrils, the characteristic position of the eye behind the line of the second horn, the semi-tubular ears, and the great length of the shapeless head - these points amply justifying the refusal of the late Joseph Wolf to depict the white rhinoceros as resembling. its black congener in all respects, save for the square upper lip. He said that surely other important differences existed, and indeed, when closely compared, the two animals are really very unlike each other, as may be seen from the following table: - White Rhinoceros. Black Rhinoceros. 1. Upper lip square, non-prehensileUpper lip pointed, prehensile, and and adapted for grazing.adapted for browsing. 2. Nostrils slit-like, elongated,Nostrils small and rounded. and narrow. 3. Eye situated entirely behindEye situated behind axis of second horn. line of second horn. 4. Ears semi-tubular and scantily tufted.Ears open: fringed on upper edge. 5. Head much elongated.Head less elongated. 6. Feet broad, leaving a wide spoor orFeet smaller: spoor about 27 in. footmark about 36 in.circumference. (Kirby). circumference. (Kirby). 7. Size of animal very large, 6 ft.Size smaller up to 5 ft. 8 in. at at shoulder.shoulder. (Baker). End
The skull and horns of an undoubted white rhinoceros, shot by Major Gibbons at Lado, on the Upper Nile, were exhibited at a meeting of the Zoological Society, held on December 18th, 1900.
Ceratotherium simum. 1893. Two adult bulls were shot in July, in Mashonaland, by Mr. R. C. Coryndon. 1895. A fine bull was shot by Mr. Eyre in North Mashonaland. Roberts 1913
Feet smaller: spoor about 27 in. circumference. (Kirby).
since these structures are but agglutinated hair
1897. The spoor of a bull and a cow were seen in Matawamba by Mr. F. V. Kirby.
Ceratotherium simum. 1894 - Six animals were killed in Zululand by the late Mr. C. R. Varndell and a friend.
The following is the scanty list of the appearances of R. simus since 1890: 1892. Messrs. Eyre and Coryndon, in August, 1892, saw a bull, cow and calf all together: the next day they met a large cow, a half-grown individual, and a calf. The calf died in captivity after a few days. 1893. Two adult bulls were shot in July, in Mashonaland, by Mr. R. C. Coryndon. 1894. Six animals were killed in Zululand by the late Mr. C. R. Varndell and a friend. 1895. A fine bull was shot by Mr. Eyre in North Mashonaland. 1897. The spoor of a bull and a cow were seen in Matawamba by Mr. F. V. Kirby. 1903. Dr. Gunning, of the Pretoria Museum and Zoological Gardens, kindly informs me that four individuals still linger near Lake Ngami: there were eleven before the outbreak of the war in 1899, four in Zululand, and seven near Ngami. These complete the list.
Subsequent investigations have demonstrated that the white rhinoceros was once widely distributed over South Africa, wherever the grasslands were adapted to its habits, extending from the Orange River in the south as far north as the Zambesi. We may conveniently take 1812 as representing the era of prosperity, the open veldt then being dotted with peaceful groups of white rhinoceroses - father, mother, and calf - or with solitary individuals standing motionless, awake but stupid, in soulless meditation.
before outbreak of war in 1899 there were 4 in Zululand. According to a more recent estimate, however, about ten white rhinoceroses still in Zululand. In December 1902, an old bull and a younger one `escaped' into a native reservation, where they were promptly killed (See Field for March 21, 1903).
Chewing mud. Photo of Rhinoceros unicornis, animal was actually chewing the mud when the photo was taken.
Ears open: fringed on upper edge.
Eye situated behind axis of second horn.
The white rhinoceros, like its congener, carries two horns, but an examination of a good series of museum specimens will speedily demonstrate that the front one is always flattened anteriorly in the white species, and rounded anteriorly in the black. Moreover, R. simus has always the anterior horn extremely bristly at the base, and exhibiting a whitish colour on section.
Further, I have recently examined a front horn of the allied extinct Rhinoceros antiquitatis, and this strikingly resembled a white rhinoceros horn in my possession. Both specimens were markedly fibrous in texture, translucent, and had the posterior margin sharply defined. At its base the fossil horn was split up into bristly fibres, just like that of the white rhinoceros of the present day: in section it showed also exactly the hue which is seen in its living congener, so that the horns of the two species agreed remarkably in many ways. We are thus led up to a most interesting speculation for since Pallas* described the frozen carcase of the woolly rhinoceros which was found in December, 1771, on the banks of the Viloui River, as covered with ash-coloured hair, one may retrace the steps of evolution and fancifully picture the living white rhinoceros of recent times clad in a furry robe of silvery grey.
Chuckuroo
Mohohu
Eye situated entirely behind line of second horn.
Feet broad, leaving a wide spoor or footmark about 36 in. circumference. (Kirby).
these colossi were continually attended by their winged sentinels, the faithful rhinoceros bird (Buphaga africana), ever alert to give their dull-witted hosts notice of approaching danger by their shrill cries, or by thrusting their beaks into their ears.
Feet smaller: spoor about 27 in. circumference. (Kirby).
1891. Messrs. Eyre and Coryndon, in August, 1892, saw a bull, cow and calf all together: the next day they met a large cow, a half-grown individual, and a calf. The calf died in captivity after a few days.
The black R. bicornis brought into Cassala (purchased in 1868 by the Zoological Society of London) did not die till 1891, when it succumbed to cancer and not to old age
There appears to be a distinct tendency to true albinism in the white rhinoceros. Individuals have been met which were really white, or at least whitish. Sir Cornwallis Harris, who saw many simus during his famous expedition of 1836-7, says of this animal - 'His true complexion..... often approaches to cream colour.' Mr. Nicholson, writing to the 'Field' in 1894, mentions having shot no less than three examples which were of a yellowish cream hue. According to old tradition, the white rhinoceroses inhabiting South Western Cape Colony were lighter in colour than those found further north: these would naturally be the first individuals encountered by the early expeditions setting out from Cape Town, and thus the name adopted by the old pioneers would come into general use.
It will be noted that in the above account no reference has been made to colour as a distinguishing mark of the white rhinoceros. Colour plays but little part in differentiating between the so-called 'white' and 'black' rhinoceroses, since both are of a dull slaty grey. Several explanations of the Boer name 'witte rhenoster' (white rhinoceros) may here be considered. 1. The usual explanation is that the first individuals encountered were seen when emerging from their mudbath, and that their caked hides gave them a whitish appearance. 2. A little observation, even in a zoological garden, will amply show that the colour even of a dark animal may vary in intensity, according to the amount of sunlight concentrated upon it. It is now so common for the up-to-date sportsman to be armed with camera as well as with rifle, that most recent works on African hunting are ornamented with excellent engravings from photographs taken on the veldt. Several recently published photos show that even the black species in full sunlight may appear quite white: and Drummond, in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for 1876, has pointed out that the sun shining full on a bull of the white species may cause it to appear whitish, the same animal on being followed into the shade appearing quite dark. We may thus conclude that R. simus, even when not recently emerged from its mud-bath, may appear white owing to the slate-grey hide glistening beneath the fierce rays of the African sun. 3. There appears to be a distinct tendency to true albinism in the white rhinoceros. Individuals have been met which were really white, or at least whitish. Sir Cornwallis Harris, who saw many simus during his famous expedition of 1836-7, says of this animal - 'His true complexion..... often approaches to cream colour.' Mr. Nicholson, writing to the 'Field' in 1894, mentions having shot no less than three examples which were of a yellowish cream hue. According to old tradition, the white rhinoceroses inhabiting South Western Cape Colony were lighter in colour than those found further north: these would naturally be the first individuals encountered by the early expeditions setting out from Cape Town, and thus the name adopted by the old pioneers would come into general use. 4. Another explanation has also been suggested. The horns of the white rhinoceros are pale-coloured, and those of the black rhinoceros are black, hence since these structures are but agglutinated hair, it may be inferred that if these anmals' bodies were hirsute instead of naked, then would R. simus be truly white, and R. bicornis truly black. Any person who has examined a front horn of the white rhinoceros will admit that the pale bristles sprouting from the base of the horn are themselves half way in structure to hair. Further, I have recently examined a front horn of the allied extinct Rhinoceros antiquitatis, and this strikingly resembled a white rhinoceros horn in my possession. Both specimens were markedly fibrous in texture, translucent, and had the posterior margin sharply defined. At its base the fossil horn was split up into bristly fibres, just like that of the white rhinoceros of the present day: in section it showed also exactly the hue which is seen in its living congener, so that the horns of the two species agreed remarkably in many ways. We are thus led up to a most interesting speculation for since Pallas* described the frozen carcase of the woolly rhinoceros which was found in December, 1771, on the banks of the Viloui River, as covered with ash-coloured hair, one may retrace the steps of evolution and fancifully picture the living white rhinoceros of recent times clad in a furry robe of silvery grey. Truly, in such a case, would the white rhinoceros well deserve its name!
Feet broad, leaving a wide spoor or footmark about 36 in. circumference. (Kirby).
Ears semi-tubular and scantily tufted.
It will be noted that in the above account no reference has been made to colour as a distinguishing mark of the white rhinoceros. Colour plays but little part in differentiating between the so-called 'white' and 'black' rhinoceroses, since both are of a dull slaty grey. Several explanations of the Boer name 'witte rhenoster' (white rhinoceros) may here be considered. 1. The usual explanation is that the first individuals encountered were seen when emerging from their mudbath, and that their caked hides gave them a whitish appearance. 2. A little observation, even in a zoological garden, will amply show that the colour even of a dark animal may vary in intensity, according to the amount of sunlight concentrated upon it. It is now so common for the up-to-date sportsman to be armed with camera as well as with rifle, that most recent works on African hunting are ornamented with excellent engravings from photographs taken on the veldt. Several recently published photos show that even the black species in full sunlight may appear quite white: and Drummond, in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for 1876, has pointed out that the sun shining full on a bull of the white species may cause it to appear whitish, the same animal on being followed into the shade appearing quite dark. We may thus conclude that R. simus, even when not recently emerged from its mud-bath, may appear white owing to the slate-grey hide glistening beneath the fierce rays of the African sun. 3. There appears to be a distinct tendency to true albinism in the white rhinoceros. Individuals have been met which were really white, or at least whitish. Sir Cornwallis Harris, who saw many simus during his famous expedition of 1836-7, says of this animal - 'His true complexion..... often approaches to cream colour.' Mr. Nicholson, writing to the 'Field' in 1894, mentions having shot no less than three examples which were of a yellowish cream hue. According to old tradition, the white rhinoceroses inhabiting South Western Cape Colony were lighter in colour than those found further north: these would naturally be the first individuals encountered by the early expeditions setting out from Cape Town, and thus the name adopted by the old pioneers would come into general use. 4. Another explanation has also been suggested. The horns of the white rhinoceros are pale-coloured, and those of the black rhinoceros are black, hence since these structures are but agglutinated hair, it may be inferred that if these anmals' bodies were hirsute instead of naked, then would R. simus be truly white, and R. bicornis truly black. Any person who has examined a front horn of the white rhinoceros will admit that the pale bristles sprouting from the base of the horn are themselves half way in structure to hair. Further, I have recently examined a front horn of the allied extinct Rhinoceros antiquitatis, and this strikingly resembled a white rhinoceros horn in my possession. Both specimens were markedly fibrous in texture, translucent, and had the posterior margin sharply defined. At its base the fossil horn was split up into bristly fibres, just like that of the white rhinoceros of the present day: in section it showed also exactly the hue which is seen in its living congener, so that the horns of the two species agreed remarkably in many ways. We are thus led up to a most interesting speculation for since Pallas* described the frozen carcase of the woolly rhinoceros which was found in December, 1771, on the banks of the Viloui River, as covered with ash-coloured hair, one may retrace the steps of evolution and fancifully picture the living white rhinoceros of recent times clad in a furry robe of silvery grey. Truly, in such a case, would the white rhinoceros well deserve its name!
There appears to be a distinct tendency to true albinism in the white rhinoceros. Individuals have been met which were really white, or at least whitish. Sir Cornwallis Harris, who saw many simus during his famous expedition of 1836-7, says of this animal - 'His true complexion..... often approaches to cream colour.' Mr. Nicholson, writing to the 'Field' in 1894, mentions having shot no less than three examples which were of a yellowish cream hue. According to old tradition, the white rhinoceroses inhabiting South Western Cape Colony were lighter in colour than those found further north: these would naturally be the first individuals encountered by the early expeditions setting out from Cape Town, and thus the name adopted by the old pioneers would come into general use.
Nostrils slit-like, elongated, and narrow.
Upper lip pointed, prehensile, and adapted for browsing.
Nostrils small and rounded.
Some naturalists have recently adopted Diceros bicornis as the scientific name of the black rhinoceros.
Tail 2 feet long
Maximum weight estimated at 5000 pounds (Andersson).
Upper lip square, non-prehensile and adapted for grazing.
The white rhinoceros is a larger animal than the black species, from which it may at once be differentiated by the square, rubber-like and non-prehensile upper lip. Other distinguishing characters of Rhinoceros simus are the slit-like nostrils, the characteristic position of the eye behind the line of the second horn, the semi-tubular ears, and the great length of the shapeless head - these points amply justifying the refusal of the late Joseph Wolf to depict the white rhinoceros as resembling. its black congener in all respects, save for the square upper lip. He said that surely other important differences existed, and indeed, when closely compared, the two animals are really very unlike each other, as may be seen from the following table: - White Rhinoceros. Black Rhinoceros. 1. Upper lip square, non-prehensileUpper lip pointed, prehensile, and and adapted for grazing.adapted for browsing. 2. Nostrils slit-like, elongated,Nostrils small and rounded. and narrow. 3. Eye situated entirely behindEye situated behind axis of second horn. line of second horn. 4. Ears semi-tubular and scantily tufted.Ears open: fringed on upper edge. 5. Head much elongated.Head less elongated. 6. Feet broad, leaving a wide spoor orFeet smaller: spoor about 27 in. footmark about 36 in.circumference. (Kirby). circumference. (Kirby). 7. Size of animal very large, 6 ft.Size smaller up to 5 ft. 8 in. at at shoulder.shoulder. (Baker). End
In captivity the white rhinoceros has proved a most disappointin animal, dying even when taken quite young from no obvious cause. None of the calves which have been captured from time to time have survived long enough to be taken down country, to say nothing of being brought to Europe, so that the animal has never been represented in any zoological garden. This has not been for want of trying, for many efforts have been made to rear young simus. Many years ago the thirteenth Earl of Derby sent a thoroughly competent man to obtain the white rhinoceros alive, but although he succeeded in taking several calves, not one lived long and the costly expedition subsequently fitted out by Mr. Nicholson, of Cape Colony, for this express purpose, was equally unsuccessful, although as many as nine young animals were taken. Probably the last attempt that will ever be made in South Africa was that of Messrs. Eyre and Coryndon, who captured a calf in 1892. This youngster was vigorous and sturdy, and indeed inconveniently so - since it was only taken with considerable difficulty - yet though, eating well and provided with water, the little rhinoceros died on the eighth day after capture. It is interesting to remember that there are some animals which do not thrive in captivity from some unknown cause, such as the great kudu for example: nevertheless other rhinoceroses as a rule do very well in captivity.
Upper lip square, non-prehensile and adapted for grazing.
Eye situated entirely behind line of second horn.
Ears semi-tubular and scantily tufted.
Chewing mud. Photo of Rhinoceros unicornis, animal was actually chewing the mud when the photo was taken.
The posterior horn is often little more than a mere dermal excrescence, and it was probably from this cause that the natives in Sir A. Smith's day informed him that a race of one-horned rhinoceroses inhabited South Africa.
Nostrils small and rounded.
Maximum recorded length of anterior horn (mohohu) 62 ? inches: of anterior horn (kabaoba) 56 ? inches. Maximum recorded length of posterior horn two feet. Mounted specimen Tring Museum - anterior 1 ft 11 inch, posterior 8 inch Young adult male in BMNH - anterior 1 ft 7 inch, posterior 7 inch Liverpool Museum - anterior 25 inch, posterior 12 inch Horn coll. Renshaw from Bulawayo - length 2 feet, circumference at base 17 ? inch.
Upper lip pointed, prehensile, and adapted for browsing.
Ears open: fringed on upper edge.
Nostrils slit-like, elongated, and narrow.
The forward inclination of the anterior horn is not however confined to the white rhinoceros. The example of the black species in the Berlin Zoological Gardens has the front horn pointing forwards an angle of 45 degrees.
Eye situated behind axis of second horn.
In 1812 Dr. Burchell found the white rhinoceros abundant in the Batlapin country, near Letakoo (Kuruman), the species being first met with in 26 deg. S. latitude. Science is indebted to Burchell for the first definite account of Rhinoceros simus: a short description of the animal, which he communicated to de Blainville, appeared in the
A number of long slender horns were sent some years ago by the late Mr. F. Holmwood and assigned to a hypothetical Rhinoceros holmwoodi. They have not only been supposed to indicate a species allied to the white rhinoceros but the holmwoodi horn now exhibited in the mammal gallery of the Natural History Museum certainly recalls the long anterior horn of the veritable simus figured in Campbell's Travels. Attempts have been made to associate R. holmwoodi with the black rhinoceros, but they seem to have been initiated prior to Major Gibbons' discovery in in 1900, before which date simus was unknown in East and North East Africa.
The second type (kabaoba) is directed forwards, so that the anterior surface is often much worn by repeated contact with the ground when its owner grazes: this is well seen in the type kabaoba horn which Col. Steele presented to the British Museum many years ago. The kabaoba was long described as a separate species under the name of Rhinoceros oswellii, but this distinction is now abandoned, as intermediate forms between the two have been observed.
Mounted specimen in Tring (Coryndon, 1893) - 6 ft. 9 inch Adult male mounted in BMNH, height 6 ft 6 inch.
16 feet measured from the base of the anterior horn to the tip of the tail. Mounted specimen Tring Museum, base of anterior horn to tip of tail 16 ft. Young adult male in BMNH, base of horn to top of tail 14 ft 6 inch
