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"New National Fourth Reader"


ex cur'sions, _journeys; rambles_.

* * * * *


THE RHINOCEROS.

Next to the mighty elephant, the rhinoceros is the largest and strongest
of animals. There are several species of the rhinoceros, some of which
are found in Asia, and others in different parts of Africa.
In the latter country there are four varieties--the black rhinoceros,
having a single horn; the black species having two horns; the
long-horned white rhinoceros; and the common white species, which has a
short, stubby horn.
The largest of the African species is the long-horned, white, or
square-nosed rhinoceros. When full-grown, it sometimes measures eighteen
feet in length, and about the same around the body. Its horn frequently
reaches a length of thirty inches.
The black rhinoceros, although much, smaller than the white, and seldom
having a horn over eighteen inches long, is far more ferocious than the
white species, and possesses a wonderful degree of strength.
The form of the rhinoceros is clumsy, and its appearance dull and heavy.
The limbs are thick and powerful, and each, foot has three toes, which
are covered with broad, hoof-like nails.


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