ii THE ELEPHANT 27 



witness the absurd subjection of this mighty animal even by a 

 child. I have frequently seen a small boy threaten a large 

 elephant with a stick, and the animal has at once winced ; and, 

 curling the trunk between the legs, it has closed its eyes and 

 exhibited every symptom of extreme terror when struck repeatedly 

 upon the trunk and face. The male is generally more uncertain 

 than the female. It would at first sight appear that for shooting 

 purposes the bull elephant would be preferred for its greater 

 strength and courage. There can be no doubt that a pair of long 

 tusks is an important protection, and not only forms a defence 

 against the attack of a tiger or other animal, but is valuable for 

 offensive purposes ; yet, notwithstanding this advantage, the 

 female is generally preferred to the male, as being more docile and 

 obedient. 



The males differ in character, but they are mostly uncertain in 

 temper during a period varying from two to four months every 

 year. At such occurrences of disturbance the animal requires care- 

 ful treatment, and the chains which shackle the fore legs should be 

 of undoubted quality. Some elephants remain passive throughout 

 the year, while others appear to be thoroughly demented, and, 

 although at other seasons harmless, would, when "must," destroy 

 their own attendant and wreak the direst mischief. At such a 

 crisis the mahout must always be held responsible for accidents, as 

 the animal, if properly watched and restrained, would be incapable 

 of active movements, and would of course be comparatively harm- 

 less. Upon many occasions, through the neglect of the attendant, 

 an elephant has been left unchained, or perhaps secured with an 

 old chain that has been nearly worn through a link ; the escape of 

 the animal under such circumstances has led to frightful casualties, 

 usually commencing with the destruction of the mahout, who may 

 have attempted a recapture. The approach of the "must" period 

 is immediately perceived by a peculiar exudation of an oily nature 

 from a small duct upon either temple ; this somewhat resembles 

 coal-tar in consistence, and it occupies an area of about four inches 

 square upon the surface of the skin. There is a decided odour in 

 this secretion somewhat similar to the same exudation from the 

 neck of the male camel. 



I have known male elephants which were remarkably docile 

 throughout all seasons, but even these had to be specially regarded 

 during the period of " must," as there was no means of foretelling 

 a sudden and unexpected outbreak of temper. Many males are at 

 all times fretful, and these expend their ill-nature in various ways ; 

 if chained, they kick up the earth, and scatter the dust in all 



