ALBINOS. 85 



is generally speedy : the heavier Koomeriah is usually slow and stately in 

 his paces. 



The illustration of a Meerga is from a photograph of one captured in 

 the same herd with the above-mentioned Koomeriah, and presents all the 

 characteristic points of its class. 



The temper of Koomeriahs, both male and female, is generally as superior 

 to that of the Meerga as their physical conformation. Though gentleness 

 and submissiveness are characteristics of all elephants, the Koomeriah pos- 

 sesses these qualities, and equanimity, urbanity, and courage in a high 

 degree. The Meerga's ill-favoured look frequently bespeaks the nervousness 

 and meanness of his temperament. His want of courage, and, consequently, 

 apprehensive nature, often lead to his being dangerous through his fears. 

 He may strike at a stranger, or injure his own attendants when overcome 

 with fear, whilst the Koomeriah, through his superior courage, is unmoved. 

 As a nervous horse or cowardly dog is ever the first to kick or bite, so 

 poor-couraged elephants are the animals which are least trustworthy. 



The elephant is said to be subject to albinism. I have never myself 

 seen a really white one, nor have any of the experienced native hunters 

 whom I have met. There is--at present in his Highness the Maharajah of 

 Mysore's stables a young tusker, captured twelve years ago, which is of a 

 somewhat light colour, both as to his skin and hair, and his eyes are light 

 blue. Amongst those I captured in Mysore, in 1 8 74, was a calf of a very light 

 shade, somewhat of a dirty cream colour ; ordinary calves are quite black. 

 Regarding the white elephants of which we read as forming the most cher- 

 ished possessions of the King of Ava, I am unable to give any information. 

 I have never heard of any trustworthy European writer's having seen them. 



Eeal vice in any elephant is a thing almost unknown. Natives attach 

 less importance than we do to the temper of elephants ; all can be managed 

 by some means, and the possession of an unruly animal, if of good figure, is 

 sometimes regarded as rather desirable than otherwise. 



No male elephant can reach high merit without good tusks ; the 

 longer and heavier they are the more is their possessor valued ; ' but they 

 must be of good shape, curving upwards like the runners of a cradle, and 

 diverging gracefully from each other. Tuskers are far more valuable for 

 work than females, not only from their greater strength, but from the 

 good use they make of their tusks in turning and carrying logs, &c. A 

 tusker, if given the end of a rope to pull, puts it over one tusk, and 

 holding the end between his teeth, can move a weight with this purchase 

 which a female with only the hold with her teeth would be unable to man- 

 age. Tusks usually require cutting once a-year : the elephant is made to 



