THE ELEPHANT, THE GIANT OF THE FOREST 



length, seldom weigh over thirty pounds apiece. Of the 

 two species, the African is also considerably larger, aver- 

 aging fully two feet more in height than the Indian ele- 

 phant, the same proportions existing if girth and weight 

 are considered. 



In regard to their different dispositions, the Asiatic 

 species is much milder and more timid. He is therefore 

 more easily tamed and used for work or " show " than the 

 African elephant, which, if enraged and charging, is one 

 of the most terrific foes to encounter. He will then come 

 on with raised head, with trunk generally held up in a 

 kind of " S " form, his enormous ears standing out in 

 right angles against the massive head, forming an ex- 

 panse of ten feet or more. At the same time he will 

 often emit short, shrill trumpet screams, that seem to 

 make the very ground vibrate with their sound, as he 

 " shuffles " forward, breaking down everything in his 

 way! 



No animal in the world is in reality more deserving to 

 be called " King of Beasts " than the elephant, the giant 

 of the forest. Not only is this mighty pachyderm by far 

 the largest and strongest land animal, but probably also 

 the most intelligent. It fears no beast. While the lion 

 has to fear the elephant, the rhino, and sometimes even 

 the buffalo, and these two latter probably each other, the 

 elephant is absolutely without a rival. In fact, the native 

 hunters say that as soon as elephants invade a certain 

 locality, the rhinos invariably quit, evidently fearing for 

 their safety. 



It is perfectly wonderful to see with what " engineer- 

 ing skill " the many elephant paths are made, which as- 



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