602 HABITS OF THE ELEPHANT. 



The herds in which these animals congregate are not of very great size, containing only 

 from ten to twenty or thirty individuals, and consisting, as is generally thought by men of 

 practical experience, of members of the same family. This opinion is strengthened by the 

 fact that certain physical peculiarities, such as the shape of the trunk or the head, have been 

 found in every member of the same herd. Sometimes these herds will associate with each 

 other for a time, but at the smallest alarm each little flock assembles together independently 

 of the others. It is rather remarkable that a whole herd has never been known to charge a foe 

 simultaneously. The leader generally faces the enemy, while the remainder of the herd 

 manoeuvre in his rear ; but that the entire herd should unite in a charge, is a circumstance 

 never yet known to occur. The Asiatic Elephant will permit the temporary society of other 

 animals, and may be seen at a fountain or feeding on an open space in close proximity to deer 

 and wild buffaloes, neither animal displaying any aversion to or fear of the other. 



In its general habits the Elephant is restless and irritable, or rather "fidgety," never 

 remaining quite still, but always in motion in some way or other. At one time it will sway 

 backwards and forwards, at another it will stoop and rise continually, or it will be getting 

 sand or water and sprinkling it over its body, or it will pluck a leafy branch and wave it 

 slowly and gracefully over its back. It is very fond of bathing, and has a curious predilection 

 for drawing a mixture of mud and water into its trunk, and discharging it over its body. It 

 is an admirable swimmer, and will cross large rivers with perfect ease. Sometimes it prefers 

 walking on the bed of the river, merely protruding the tip of its proboscis above the surface 

 for the purpose of breathing. 



The Indian Elephant is employed more for purposes of state or for sport than for hard 

 labor, and is especially trained for tiger-hunting. As there is a natural dread of the tiger 

 deeply implanted in the Elephant's being, it is no easy matter to teach the animal to approach 

 its brindled foe. A stuffed tiger-skin is employed for this purpose, and is continually pre- 

 sented to the Elephant until he learns to lose all distrust of the inanimate object, and to 

 strike it, to crush it with his feet, or to pierce it with his tusks. After a while, a boy is put 

 inside the tiger-skin, in order to accustom the Elephant to the sight of the tiger in motion. 

 The last stage in the proceedings is to procure a dead tiger, and to substitute it for the stuffed 

 .representative. Even with all this training, it most frequently happens, that when the Ele- 

 phant is brought to face a veritable living tiger, the fierce bounds, savage yells, and furious 

 eyes of the beast are so discouraging, that he turns tail, and makes the best of his way from 

 the spot. Hardly one Elephant out of ten will face an angry tiger. 



The Elephant is always guided by a mahout, who sits astride upon its neck and directs 

 the movements of the animal by means of his voice, aided by a kind of spiked hook, called 

 the haunkus, which is applied to the animal's head in such a manner as to convey the driver's 

 wishes to the Elephant. The persons who ride upon the Elephant are either placed in the 

 howdah, a kind of wheelless carriage strapped on the animal's back, or sit upon a large pad, 

 which is furnished with cross ropes in order to give a firm hold. The latter plan is generally 

 preferred, as the rider is able to change his position at will, and even to recline upon the 

 Elephant's back if he should be fatigued by the heavy rolling gait of the animal. The Ele- 

 phant generally kneels in order to permit the riders to mount, and then rises from the ground 

 with a peculiar swinging motion that is quite indescribable, and is most discomposing to 

 novices in the art. Very small Elephants are furnished with a saddle like that which is used 

 upon horses, and is fitted with stirrups. The saddle, however, cannot be conveniently tised on 

 animals that are more than six feet in height. 



The size of Elephants has been greatly exaggerated, as sundry writers have given fourteen 

 or sixteen feet as an ordinary height, and have even mentioned instances where Elephants have 

 attained to the height of twenty feet. It is true that the enormous bulk of the animal makes its 

 height appear much greater than is really the case. Eight feet is about the average height of a 

 large Elephant, and nine or ten feet is the utmost maximum to which the creature ever attains. 



It is rather remarkable that the Elephants should be so fond of intoxicating liquids as to 

 be induced by the promise of porter, beer, wine or spirits, to perform tricks which it would 

 otherwise refuse to attempt. The natural food of the Elephant consists of grass and various 



