120 THE ELEPHANT OF INDIA. 



they are still seen in large troops, Major Denham 

 having counted forty-seven, and the natives re- 

 ported herds even to two thousand.* 



* The imports of Elephants' teeth, in 1831 and 1832, 

 were, at an average, 4130 cwt., of which 2950 cwt. were 

 retained for consumption. The medium weight of a tusk 

 may be taken at about 60 Ibs. ; so that the yearly imports 

 of 1831 and 1832, may be taken at seven thousand seven 

 hundred and nine tusks ; a fact which supposes the des- 

 truction of at least three thousand eight hundred and fifty- 

 four male Elephants ! But, supposing the tusks could only 

 he obtained by killing the animal, the destruction would 

 really be a good deal greater, and would most probably, 

 indeed, amount to four thousand five hundred, or five 

 thousand Elephants. Occasionally, however, tusks are 

 accidentally broken, one lost in this way being replaced by 

 a new one ; and a good many are also obtained from 

 Elephants that have died in the natural way. Still it is 

 sufficiently obvious, that the supply from the sources now 

 alluded to cannot be very large ; and if to the quantity of 

 ivory required for Great Britain, we add that required for 

 the other countries of Europe, America, and Asia, the 

 slaughter of Elephants must, after every reasonable deduc- 

 tion is made, appear immense; and it may well excite 

 surprise, that the breed of this noble animal has not been 

 more diminished. The western and eastern coasts of 

 Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon, India, and the 

 countries to the eastward of the straits of Malacca, are the 

 great marts whence supplies of ivory are derived. The 

 imports from Western Africa into Great Britain, in 1831, 

 amounted to 2575 cwt. ; the Cape only furnished 198 

 cwt. The imports during the same year from India, 

 Ceylon, and other eastern countries, were 2173 cwt. The 

 Chinese market is principally supplied with ivory from 

 Malacca, Siam, and Sumatra. 



The chief consumption of ivory in England, is in the 



