Letter 407, Charles Darwin to his sister living in Shrewsbury, Susan Elizabeth Darwin (1803–66), after a visit to London Zoo on 28 March 1838:
Two days since, when it was very warm, I rode to the Zoological Society, & by the greatest piece of good fortune it was the first time this year, that the Rhinoceros was turned out.— Such a sight has seldom been seen, as to behold the rhinoceros kicking & rearing, (though neither end reached any great height) out of joy.— it galloped up & down its court surprisingly quickly, like a huge cow, & it was marvellous how suddenly it could stop & turn round at the end of each gallop.— The elephant was in the adjoining yard & was greatly amazed at seeing the rhinoceros so frisky: He came close to the palings & after looking very intently, set off trotting himself, with his tail sticking out at one end & his trunk at the other,—squeeling & braying like half a dozen broken trumpets.—
Darwin, C. 1839. Letter to his sister Susan Elizabeth Darwin living in Shrewsbury. In: The correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 2: 1837-1843. Cambridge University Press. pp. 80-81.
Letter to his sister Susan Elizabeth Darwin living in Shrewsbury
Note
Location
Captive
Subject
Captivity
Species
Greater One-horned Rhino (unicornis)