ELEPHANT 



ELEPHAS AFRICANUS 

 SWAHILI : TEMBO. MASAI : OL-LE-'NG-AINA. 



f ""^HIS is one of those animals which it 

 is needless to describe, but it is just 

 as well to mention a few of the dis- 

 tinguishing points between it and the 

 Indian elephant. 



It stands much higher, say by two feet or so, 

 and its footprints are therefore very much bigger. 

 A fine bull's tusks weigh 100 Ib. each ; they 

 have been shot up to 120 Ib. or more, but 

 between 60 Ib. and 80 Ib. apiece is a good pair, 

 and a pair to be proud of. But the most notice- 

 able difference lies in their ears, which are much 

 larger and more ragged than their Indian friends'. 

 I was told before setting eyes on one that an 

 African elephant charging, with his trunk up and 

 his huge ears stuck out on each side like studding- 

 sails set on a line-of-battle ship of Nelson's time, 

 screaming fit to burst the while, was about the 

 most terrifying object to be met with in many 

 a long day's march. 



This magnificent beast "licks creation" through- 



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