88 The Wild Elephant. 



and inexpert in using their strength, that they rarely or 

 ever succeed in kiUing a pursuer who falls into their 

 poAver. Although the pressure of a foot, a blow with 

 the trunk, or a thrust with the tusk, could scarcely fail to 

 prove fatal, three-fourths of those so overtaken have 

 escaped without serious injury. So great is this chance 

 of impunity, that the sportsman prefers to approach 

 within about fifteen paces of the advancing elephant, a 

 space which gives time for a second fire should the first - 

 shot prove ineffectual, and should both fail there is still 

 opportunity for flight. 



Amongst full-grown timber, a skilful runner can escape 

 from an elephant by " dodging " round the trees, but in 

 cleared land, and low brushwood, the difficulty is much 

 increased, as the small growth of underwood which 

 obstructs the movements of man presents no obstacle to 

 those of an elephant. On the other hand, on level and 

 open ground the chances are rather in favour of the ele- 

 phant, as his pace in full flight exceeds that of man, 

 although as a general rule, it is unequal to that of a 

 horse, as has been sometimes asserted.' 



The incessant slaughter of elephants by sportsmen in 

 Cejdon, appears to be merely in subordination to the in- 

 fluence of the organ of destructiveness, since the carcase 

 is never applied to any useful purpose, but left to de- 

 compose and to defile the air of the forest. The flesh is 

 occasionally tasted as a matter of curiosity : as a steak 

 it is coarse and tough ; but the tongue is as delicate as 



' Shaw, in his Zoology, asserts that horse can gallop. London, 1800-6, 

 an elephant can run as swiftly as a vol. i. p. 216 



