IN EAST AFRICA 



19 



about 18 inches or so in greatest basal girth. Much larger tusks 

 are, however, known, some of which are referred to in an earlier 

 paragraph. Cow-tusks commonly weigh from 12 to 24 lb. each, 

 although in an exceptionally fine pair the weight was ^6 lb. East 

 African ivory is of the best quality, being what is called in the trade 

 ' soft ivory,' which fetches a higher price than the ' hard ivory ' from 

 the west coast. Even in soft ivory there is, however, great variety in 

 quality, and a corresponding range in value ; ' kalasha,' or cow-tusks \ 



Fic. 8. — Elephants photographed by Lord Delamere on the lower slopes of Mount Marsabil, 

 in the Rendili district, to the S.E. of Lake Rudolf. 



of from about 12 lb. to 16 lb., being the most valuable, on account 

 of its suitability for billiard-balls. 



" In this part of the country the tusks are sometimes used for 

 digging up roots, by which a piece may be broken off the end ; but 

 when both are entire, one, generally the right, is almost always more 

 worn than its fellow. 



"Tuskless elephants are almost unknown in this part of Africa, 

 and I myself have never seen one. Individuals with only one tusk 

 are, however, occasionally found ; but I believe the tradition that a 

 single tusk is generally of abnormal size to be without foundation. 



