NATURAL HISTORY. 



171 



ELEI'IIAS. 



Africanus (Lat. African], the African Elephant. 



This species is distinguished from the Indian Elephant by 

 the markings of its teeth and some differences in form. Much 

 interesting information respecting the habits of this animal has 

 been given by Gumming, from whose work the following extracts 

 are taken : 



" The AFRICAN ELEPHANT is widely diffused through the vast 

 forests, and is met with in herds of various numbers. The 

 male is very much larger than the female ; consequently, much 

 more difficult to kill. He is provided with two enormous tusks. 

 These are long, tapering, and beautifully arched ; their length 

 averages from six to eight feet, and they weigh from sixty to a 

 hundred pounds each. 



" The females, unlike Asiatic elephants in this respect, are 

 likewise provided with tusks. The price which the largest 

 ivory fetches in the English market is from 281. to 321. per 



