342 Zoological Collections. 



one, which appeared to inc to be a greater object of curiosity than any of 

 the others. This animal was covered all over with black spots, about the 

 size of a pea, upon a white base. It is not unusual to observe a partial de- 

 gree of this spotted appearance in the elephant of Bengal, as on the fore- 

 head and trunk of the animal, but in this instance the skin was entirely 

 covered with them. 



The greatest regard is entertained in Siam for the white elephant. He 

 who discovers one is regarded as the most fortunate of mortals. The event 

 is of that importance, that it may be said to form an era in the annals of 

 the nation. The fortunate discoverer is rewarded with a silver crown, and 

 with a grant of land equal in extent to the space of country at which the 

 elephants cry can be heard. He and his family to the third generation are 

 exempted from all sorts of servitude, and their land from taxation. — Mis- 

 sion to Siam and Hue, S^c. 1821-2. London, 1826. pp. 151-154. 



4. Account of a Fight between a Tiger and an Elepliant. By George 

 FiNLAYSON, Esq. 



In the midst of a grassy plain, about half a mile long, and nearly as 

 much in breadth, about sixty or seventy fine elephants were drawn up in 

 several ranks, each animal being provided with a mahawat and a hauda, 

 which was empty. On one side were placed convenient seats ; the go- 

 vernor, mandarins, and a numerous train of soldiers being also present 

 at the spectacle. A crowd of spectators occupied the side opposite. The 

 tiger was bound to a stake placed in the centre of the plain, by means 

 of a stout rope fastened round his loins. We soon perceived how unequal 

 was the combat. The claws of the poor animal had been torn out, and a 

 strong stitch bound the lips, together, and prevented him from opening his 

 mouth. On being turned loose from the cage he attempted to bound over 

 the plain, but, finding all attempts to extricate himself useless, he threw 

 himself at length upon the grass, till, seeing a large elephant with long 

 tusks approach, he got up and faced the coming danger. The elephant 

 was by this attitude and the horrid growl of the tiger too much intimidat- 

 ed, and turned aside, while the tiger pursued him heavily, and struck him 

 with his fore-paw upon the hind quarter, quickening his pace not a little. 



The mahawat succeeded in bringing the elephant to the charge again 

 before he had gone far, and this time he rushed on furiously, driving his 

 tusks into the earth under the tiger, and, lifting him up fairly, gave him a 

 clear cast to the distance of about thirty feet. This was an interesting 

 point in the combat. The tiger lay along on the ground as if he were dead^ 

 yet it appeared that he had sustained no material injury, for on the next 

 attack he threw himself into an attitude of defence, and, as the elephant 

 was again about to take him up, he sprung upon his forehead, fixing his 

 hind-feet upon the trunk of the former. 



The elephant was wounded in this attack, and so much frightened, that 

 nothing could prevent him from breaking through every obstacle, and fairly 

 running off. The mahawat was considered to have failed in his duty, and 

 soon after was brought up to the governor with his hands bound behind his 

 back, and on the spot received a hundred lashes of the rattan. 



