RHINOCEROS, an Animal thus call’d, because he has an Horn upon his Snout. There are several Animals that have Horns also upon their Snouts, or in the Middle of their Foreheads, which have often been confounded together, and which are not yet well distinguish’d in the Natural History of Animals. See what is said hereafter under the Article Unicorn. The Name Rhinoceros is found in the Vulgate in these Places, Numb. xxiii. 22. & xxiv. 8. Deut. xxxiii. 17. Job xxxix. 9, 10. The Hebrew Word Reem is render’d Rheem. Monoceros, or Rhinoceros.in the Septuagint promiscuously by Monoceros, Unicornis, or Rhinoceros.
The Arabians and Persians name that Animal Kerkhedan, which the Hebrews call Rehem, and we Rhinoceros. It is chiefly found in the Isle of Rami in the Indian Sea, D’Herbelot. Bibl. Orient. p. 708, 959.distant three Days sail from the Island of Serendib. The Kerkhedan is smaller than the Elephant, but larger than the Buffalo. It has a Bunch under its Belly like unto what the Camels have upon their Backs. It has a very thick Horn upon its Snout, which the Indian Kings make use of at Table; for it sweats, at the Approach of any Kind of Poison whatever. This Horn being cloven through the middle, exhibits the Figure of a Man drawn with white Lines, among which are also seen the Figures of Birds.
Father le Compte says, that the Rhinoceros is of the Length of an Elephant ; but its Legs are shorter, and its Hoofs are cloven. ‘Tis one of the most singular Creatures in the World. It has something like a Boar, except that it is much larger ; its Feet are thicker, and its whole Body more unweildy : Its Skin is cover’d all over with blackish Scales, large and thick, which are extremely hard, and divided into little Squares or Knobs a little raised above the Skin, something like that of a Crocodile. Its Legs appear as if they had Boots on ; and its Head as if cover’d behind with a kind of flat Hood, which makes the Portuguese name it The Monk of the Indies.
Its Head is thick ; its Mouth not wide ; its Muzzle long, and arm’d with a thick and long Horn ; which makes it terrible even to the very Tygers, to the Buffaloes, and the Elephants. But what is still more wonderful in this Animal, is its Tongue, which Nature has cover’d with so hard a Membrane, that it differs but little from a File : Thus it fleas every thing that it licks, and eats with great Facility the rough Branches of Trees, tho’ defended all round with sharp Thorns : It bends them easily upon its Tongue, and breaks them in its Mouth without any Trouble. Festus says, that it is hunted for the sake of its Skin, which is very hard and impenetrable, being cover’d all over with Scales, and about four Fingers thick : They make Suits of Armour of it, and Bucklers, as also Shares for the Plough.