330 THE ELEPHANT. [Part ^^11. 



standing the demonstration of Combe that the brain of 

 the timid Singhalese is deficient in the organ of destriic- 

 tiveness\ he shows an instinct for hnnting, and exhibits 

 in the pm'siiit of the elepliant a com^age and adroitness 

 far surpassing in interest the mere handling of the rifle, 

 wliich is the principal share of the proceeding that falls 

 to his European companions. 



The beater on these occasions has the double task of 

 finchng the game and carrying the guns ; and, in an 

 animated communication to me, an experienced sportsman 

 describes " this lio-lit and active creature, ^vitll his lono- 

 glossy hair Iianging down his shoulders, every muscle 

 quivering with excitement ; and his countenance lit up 

 with intense animation, leaping from rock to rock, as nim- 

 ble as a deer, tracking the gigantic game like a blood- 

 hound, falhng behind as he comes up with it, and as the 

 elephants, baflled and irritated, make the first stand, 

 passing one rifle into your eager hand and holding the 

 other ready whilst right and left each barrel performs its 

 mission, and if fortune does not flag, and the second gun 

 is as successful as tlie first, three or four huge carcases 

 are piled one on another witlihi a space equal to the area 

 of a dining-room." ^ 



It is curious that in these encounters the herd never 

 rush forward in a body, as bufliiloes or bisons do, but 

 only one elephant at a time moves in advance of the 

 rest to confront, or, as it is called, to " charge," the 

 assailants. I have heard of but one instance in which 

 two so advanced as champions of their companions. 

 Sometimes, indeed, the whole herd will follow a leader, 

 and mancEuvre in his rear like a body of cavahy ; but so 

 large a party are necessarily hable to panic ; and, one of 

 them being turned in alarm, the entire body retreat with 

 terrified precipitation. 



As regards boldness and courage, a strange variety of 



1 System ofPhroioIof/t/, by Geouge I - Private letter from Capt. Pliilip 

 Combe, vol. i. p. 250. | Payiio Gallwey. 



