THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT. 107 



those further south, though the tusks appear to be 

 heavier in proportion. Of the ivory sent to Quilli- 

 mane, from whence an enormous quantity is ex- 

 ported, some is from mountainous and rocky 

 country ; this is heavier in proportion to its 

 apparent size, and harder in texture than that 

 from the plains. 



Though gregarious in their habits, the male and 

 female elephants go in separate herds, never being 

 seen to associate with each other. The food of the 

 African elephant principally consists of leaves and 

 bark of trees, of palms, and all kinds of sweet 

 fruits found in its haunts, but very seldom of grass ; 

 the " spek boom," is also a favourite article of food. 



Few finer sights can be seen by the lover of 

 nature than a herd of elephants in their wild state. 

 Picture to yourself an expanse of park-like country, 

 dotted with clumps of mimosas, loaded with sweet- 

 scented yellow flowers, and with clumps of thorny 

 bushes and high yellow reeds, alternating with 

 savannahs and open glades clothed with luxuriant 

 grass and herbage, while here and there a large 

 " Kameeldoorn " tree, or Baobab, towers over all 

 surrounding objects. Scattered over the landscape 

 are seen a herd of some thirty noble elephants, 

 some standing at rest beneath the shade of the 

 trees, fanning themselves with green branches, 

 blowing clouds of dust over their lofty backs, and 



