ELEPHANTS. 227 



elephants have established them into separate species. 

 The enamel of the grinders is so placed in the latter as 

 to form lozenges ; and in the former, parallel-fluted 

 ribbons. The ears of the African animal are much 

 larger, and the shape of his forehead is more convex. 

 Although it was from this country that the Romans 

 obtained all their clever, well-trained elephants, the 

 natives now never think of making them useful. Con- 

 nected with this, I was once much amused by the pro- 

 posal, seriously suggested, that if we English would 

 go among the savage tribes of Africa, and tame some 

 of their elephants, they would be so convinced of our 

 superiority that they would without hesitation submit 

 to our dominion. This came from a learned king's 

 counsel, and was seriously uttered to one of his Ma- 

 jesty's Government without exciting surprise in any 

 but my experienced self. In our human impatience we 

 are apt to think the progress we so much desire comes 

 slowly ; but could such an idea be now entertained ? 



A curious propensity in the Indian elephant has been 

 repeatedly noticed. I mean the separation of a male 

 elephant from all his companions in order to lead a 

 solitary existence. I am rather of opinion with some of 

 the natives, that he has been turned away by them for 

 his own misdeeds. But I know not if this will equally 

 apply to the racoon, the only other animal, I believe, 

 concerning whom the same habit is recorded. At all 

 events, the hermit elephant is particularly fierce and 

 mischievous ; and it becomes a matter of policy or even 

 necessity to catch him. The Indians hunt him down, 

 accompanied by two trained female elephants, who draw 

 near to him as if unconscious of his presence, and begin 

 to eat the surrounding food as a matter of course. \i 



