THE ELEPHANT OF INDIA. 119 



Even at a very early period, the Indian kings 

 employed immense troops of Elephants, and 

 several thousands were brought to the field. In 

 the wars of Alexander, however, they scarcely 

 exceeded four or five hundred ; and during the 

 height of the Roman Empire, from thirty to two 

 hundred were all that could be mustered. 



In the east, al the present time, the Elephant is 

 only employed in carrying baggage, or in assisting 

 to drag artillery ; they do not enter into the 

 general engagement, but their use to an army on 

 its march is- incalculable. They exhibit much 

 sagacity in the exercise of their strength, and effect, 

 in a degree proportioned to their superior powers, 

 the labour of bullocks and horses. Their exertions 

 are made by either pushing, or dragging, or lifting 

 The forehead is generally defended with strong 

 leather, and is the principal part employed in 

 pushing ; and where more than one is employed, 

 they will act in concert, to render their efforts 

 more effectual. Although still an attendant to a 

 limited extent on the courts of the East, and valu- 

 able for the production of ivory, fortunately the 

 Elephant does not now hold the same scale of 

 utility it formerly did ; for the hundreds of thou* 

 sands of these animals which were then taken 

 have tended, in India at least, to diminish their 

 numbers, and to increase the difficulty of 

 procuring them. In Africa, the capture, on 

 account of their tusks, is great ; and at Darfur, 



