ELEPHANTS 81 



heard of it, except those relating to feats of strength 

 or docility performed under its trainer's or keeper's 

 direction, are beyond its intellectual power and are 

 but pleasant fiction. 



It often happens that persons who do not under- 

 stand elephants give them credit for performing 

 actions which are suggested to them, and in which 

 they are directed by their trainer or by the mahout 

 on their necks. I think that all who have had to deal 

 with elephants, will agree in saying that their good 

 qualities cannot be exaggerated and that their vices 

 are few, and only occur in exceptional animals. The 

 not uncommon idea that elephants are treacherous 

 and retentive of injury, is a groundless one. 



Elephants do not push with their foreheads or 

 the region above their eyes, but with the base of the 

 trunk or snout, about one foot below the eyes. 

 Elephants are poor sighted, and are so intent on 

 being off when thoroughly started, that I have been 

 almost brushed against without being discovered. 



The rapidly advancing line of huge heads and 

 cocked ears bobbing up and down as the elephants 

 come rushing on, leveling everything before them, 

 is a trying sight, and at first one requires some 

 nerve and the reflection they are escaping, not 

 charging to stand still. 



If circumstances ever occur to make a run un- 

 avoidable, the pursued hunter should always take 

 down hill and choose the steepest place at hand, as 

 the elephants fear to trust themselves on a rapid 



