KOOMKIES LEAVING THE MALE FASTENED TO A TREE.
c i r c i u u s l a i i c e s , never fail to incliiee violent ailections of tlie eyes; whicli, if the
v i s u a l faciilly of oiio or oilier be not allogellicr destroyed, are sensibly injured.
Allel lo lliis, that the feet of Lliu e lephanl being from its birt h habituated to a
Süll und moist verdure, are grievously ailected by llie harsh, stony, and sunb
u r n t soils of the uj>i)cr count ry. Tliat the pain occasioned by such a change
m a y operate towards producing a critical complaint, is extremely probable ;
e s p e c i a l l y as it i
1(1 by experience among the mohonti that opiuai, which
m a n y of them
h a s in many ei
. d m i n i s t c i - ver y copiously, and appl y external l y in various forms,
5CS k e p t off boll] the ophthalmi a and the dropsy. As to the feel,
a l s a m i c drugs, being boiled with various herbs sujiposed to
i g e n t power, ajid applied nearly boi l ing hot to the soles, appear
n e a i i s of prevention. They should, however, be used from the
p o s s e s s an astnugei
to be the onl y uiea
first; for the wasti
a f l e r w h i c h much t
h a v e had a sort of boot, made for the elephants' feet; but gravel and sand
g e l l i n g in proved, by their operations, that the remedy was worse than the
d i s e a s e . The feci of eleplianis should be kept dry at their pickets, especially
f r o m their own urine, which corrodes severely; causing deep clefts, and, if
n e g l e c t e d , never failing lo ruin the foot entirely. In fact, nature, w h e n she
f i r s t c reated the e lephant , did not foresee that Europeans , or other adventiirers,
w o u l d drag that noble animal from its nat ive soil and climate, to p e r f o r m all the
d r u d g e r i e s at tendant npon a mi l i tary capacity !
o f the skin is very rapid, w h e n once its surface is chafed;
3 a n d trouble will be needful to r epa i r the mischief. Some
O n each of an elephant' s temples there is a n aper tur e about the size of a pin's
h e a d , whence an ichor exndes : a moderate discharge indicates health; but
w h e n it is too copious, or altogether suppressed, the animal is considerably
d i s e a s e d . Previous to an attack of the <lropsy, these apertures seem to be
clcjsed, ihe appelite fails, and a fcctid stench proceeds f rom the skin; there is
a l s o a certain sickly api)earance about the elephaul which is ver y conspicuous.
A t Icnglh, generally, parts of the liead liegin to pulT, and cedematous swellijigs
a r e formed under the ihroat and near ihc jaw-bones, which in a short lime
a u g m e n t greatly ; frequent l y these never subside ; their tardiness is a ver y ba<l
s y n i j ) l o n i . In most cases they decrease, and oilier swellings of a similar nature
a p p e a r on the shoulders, sides, and legs; rarely along the back. I'hese
g r a d u a l l y fall lower, as though the w a t e r found its wa y through the cellular
m e m b i ' a n e s ; and sores b reaking out in the extrejnities give vent to the disease,
M h i c h never has been known to recur: nor, indeed, does it appear that such
e h ' ) ) h u n t s as escape this complaint , during the first or second year after removal
f r o m tlie southward, are subject to it afterwards.
E l e p h a n t s in a state of health will turn their Ijacks towards one that is
d i s e a s e d , and loath thoir food if k ept long in such a vicinity. When an elephanl
l i e s d own nnder sickness, no hope of recovery remains; for, p e rhaps Jio animal
e x i s t s so tenacious of an crect posture, so long as it can possibly mus ter up
e n o u g h of the vis-vita' to support its infirmity. Let it not be understood that
e l e p h u u t s never lie down but to die; for notwithstanding the dogmas of
a n t i q u i t y or of m o d e r n fabulists, who assert that " an elephant has n o joints io
h i s legs, and that the best way to catch them is to saw through the trees
a g a i j i s t which they are w o n t to rest , that they may fall and be secured, " I will
v e n t u r e to assert , that, in proportion to his bulk, the elephant is us active as
m o s t animal s in lying down, and in rising.
W h e n an elephanl is supposed to be too ill Lo recover, he should be cond
u c t e d to the place where he may be convenienlly buried ; for it w o u l d be
a t t e n d e d with much inconvejiience, ajid iji some places wouhl be utterly imp
o s s i b l e , to remove him afterwards. Li a climate wiiere putrefaction takes
p l a c e in a very few hours, a mas s so m u c h disposed thereto should be instantly
i n t e r r e d , else the s tench woul d inevitably prove h ighl y perjiicious.
M r . John Corse, of T i p p c r a h , of w h o m mention has been made in a former
p a r t of this subject, has had tlie means of ascertaining the period of an
e l e p h a n t ' s gestation ; which, if I a m rightly informed, is twenty-two montlis.
T h e cub when lirst l)orn, is about ihe size of a calf at three months. The
n a t i v e s assert that elephant s have sometimes twins; but, if ever such did occur,
i t mus t appear extraordinary lhat only one is ever seen wi t h the mother. We
m u s t either suppose that twins are never produced, or that one of them is
a d o p t e d by some female which may have lost her own cub. Until farther
p r o g r e s s be made by Mr. Corse, or others, in breeding, w e ma y perhaps cons
i d e r the former to be nearest the truth, and take it for our guide through the
l a b y r i n t h of doubt s and fictions, in whi c h tlie jjalural history of this wonderful
a n i m a l has been hitherto most completely involved. We may with the more
r e a d i n e s s follow such an opinion, whe n we contemplate the wi sdom displayed
t h r o u g h o u t the whole system of nature, in limiting her animal , as wel l as her
v e g e t i i b l e , product ions to the space and nourishment lhat can be ailbrded to
e a c h , without privation to others. Were the elephant to produce a numerous
p r o g e n y , their increase could not fail in lime to destroy the rest of the
c r e a t i o n .
T h e elephanl rarely exceeds nine feet in h e ight ; though 1 have seen some
m u c l i larger. J believe the tallest ever found iu "Bengal was the Puiigul, or
m a d - e l e p h a n t , well known about the year 1780 ; it measured nearly twelve
f e e t a t the shoulder, and was stoat in proportion. The average of full grown
e l e p h a n t . « ma y be estimated at about eight-feel. The standard for such as are
a d m i t t e d into the Hotiourablo Cojnpany's service is seven feet. The bulk of an
e l e p h a n t must not, however , be estimated by a view of such as ai'e exhibi ted at
E x e t e r 'Change, and elsewhere, which are jwmpously described as being ten
f e e t high. Whereas, remove the deception of cutting through the Iloor, to
m a k e wa y for the back, a n d reduce the foot to the same level wi t l i the observer,
t h e n , our j u d gme n t having fair play, w e should be belter able lo comput e the
s t a t u r e , which woul d be found, I a m fully eonful enl . far unde r seven l ed. ""I'his,
h o w e v e r , is a venial trespass, an iujiocenl ruse, which amuses by astonishing,
a j u l leads to no bad consequence.
KOOMKIES LEAVING THE MALE FASTENED TO A TREE.
I believe Ihe clopliaiit is ihe only qmiclriipcj excepl the niollUey, (wllieli can
s e a r c e l y I.e so c lassed, ) Lhal lias l)Ul two teals at the breast. TIms posi t ion of
t l i em enables tile calf, or cub, to suck as it runs beside, or, as i twi l l oltel, w.lb
g r o a t speed, even under tile m o t b e r ; using citlicrits I rnnk or montli at pleasure.
T b e calves arc extremely playful, but possess great strength, rendering theng
a m b o l s rather dangerous. A female e lephant will triist her y o u n g ,vilh great
c o n f i d e n c e among the human species, but is very jealons ol all brutes. 11,
h o w e v e r , they suspect any trick, or perceive any danger, tliey become ung
o v e r n a b l e ! I recollect lieing one of many who wer e seated at tlie top of a
n i g h t of stone steps at the entrance inlo the Great House at Socrole, and had
o n l i e e d the calf of a very line good- tempered elephant feeding below, lo ascend
t o w a r d s us. When she' h a d nearly got up the steps, her fool slipped and she
w a s in danger of falling, which being perceived by ibe mother, she ilartcd to
s a v e the rambler, sending forth a most terrific roar, and with such a significant
e y e as made us all tremble. She guided the descent of her little one with
w o n d e r f u l caution, none of us feeling the least disposition lo offer any aid on
t h e occasion !
M a n y of our most arduous military operations have been greatly indebted
f o r their success to the sagacity, palicnee, and exerlion of eleplianis. Exclusive
o f ibeir utility in carrying baggage and stores, considerable aid is Irequenlly
s u p p l i e d by the ¡ndgmenl they display, bordering very eloscly on reason!
W h e n cannon require to b e extricated from sloughs, the elephanl placmg Ins
f o r e h e a d to tbe muzzle, which w h e n limbere.l is the rear of the piecc, Willi an
e n e r g y scarcely lo be conceived, will urge it through a bog from which
b t m d r e d s of oxen or horses could not drag i t ; at other times lapping Ins trunk
r o u n d Ihe cannon, be will lift whi l e the cattle and men pull lorward. Ihe
n a t i v e p r inces a l l a c h an elephant loeacii
c i e s ; for this purpose the animal is tun
i n g tbe forehead, lo prevoni
in narrow roads anil causc\
• a y s , o
h e a v y cannon, when an elep
l a n l be
p r e v e n t e d the piece from upsetting,
s e c u r i t y . The simple act of doing ll
h u t the manner evinces an undcrsla:
n o t be ashamed. Li Irulb, the gel
b u t raise onr wonder, and prompi
w h i c h exhibits a sense so nearly all
c a n n o i
n i s h e d
j u r e d .
i banks
aid lis progress
a thick leatlici
iis soniel iuies In
soil In
i | i l i ed to tbe
e v e n aiilc.l
a y not pcrh
d i n g of which m
l e r a l i l y of an ele,
u s lo Ireal willi
l e d lo our own .11
' g've
; side,
w a r d
f a l l i
il I
, p s excin
i y of our ow
h a i i t ' s deporti
o i i i c deferi-uc,
i l i n g u i s h i n g el
e i n e r g c n -
a d , covericn.'.
lucl
l lhat
a y iiiKler
i not only
a stale of
1 »urprise.
i c l e r i s l i c .
T h o u g h elephants may be suppor ted in lolcrabl
b y means of boughs of trees, sleins of the Imtljm oi
w ' h e n ivorked, lli'ey wi l l rctpiirc either mcal-cakcs, o
s i z e d elephant will cat f rom twcni y to fifty pounds
m o r e . The boughs of the pcepul Irec, wliieh aboui
a s also other foliage, are considered as wbolesom
t r e e , remarkabl e for senlling forth roots from all
l o p of all, which hiking root beeoi
a n i m a l ' s hcaltli, being v e r y heatino
T h i s tree is exbihited both in tl
e l e p h a n t will carry as much provender
m u s t have a regular supply, as also soin
h e e o m e a miserabl e object. When fed v
a l l stagnant waters, tlicy fallen very rii
p r i n c i i i a l part of their diet.
, p l ight , while unemployed,
n i i l l e t , and such like; yet,
- r i c e . Of the former , a full-
1 third
u n t r v .
o f the
s lliroughoul the
T h e Imrgluil, or banian
; branches, even up to the
n e w stems, is held to be injurious to the
iiid causing the eyes to be great l y afi'ected.
S e c o n d Plate and in Plate X X X . An
s he can consumo in two days, and
s a l t , wi t h his corn ; else he will soon
h i//i«/-grass, which is to be found in
d l y ; in their wihl stale it forms a