30 WILD IIEASTS AND THKIK WAYS CHAP. 



I once saw an elephant strike a large timber tree with its fore- 

 head to shake down the fruit. This was a jteculiar example of 

 the immense j)ower that can be exerted when required. We were 

 waiting near the margin of the White Nile, about half an hour 

 before sunset, expecting the arrival of water-buck, when a rumbling 

 sound and a suppressed roar in the jungle were accompanied by 

 the breaking of a branch, which denoted the approach of elephants. 

 Presently they emerged from the forest in several directions, and 

 one, which appeared to be the largest I had ever seen, advanced 

 to within 1'20 yards of our ]x>sition without perceiving us, as we 

 were concealed behind a bush upon some rising ground close to 

 the river's bank. This elephant had enormous tusks, but as we 

 had only small-bore rifles, I was contented to watch, without dis- 

 turbing the magnificent animal before me. 



There was a very large and lofty tree quite three feet in 

 diameter ; upon the upper branches grew the much-loved fruit, 

 similar in appearance to good-sized dates, and equally as sweet and 

 aromatic (Balanite& Egyptiaca). Elephants will travel great 

 distances to arrive at a forest where such fruit is produced in 

 quantity, and they appear to know the season when the crop will 

 be thoroughly ripe. Upon this occasion, the elephant, having 

 picked up the single fruits which lay scattered upon the ground, 

 presently looked up, and being satisfied with the appearance of the 

 higher boughs, he determined to shake down a plentiful supply. 

 Retiring for a few feet, he deliberately rammed his forehead against 

 the stem, with such force as to shake the tree from top to bottom, 

 causing a most successful shower of the coveted fruit, which he 

 immediately commenced to eat. 



Commander R. X. J. Baker was my companion, and we agreed 

 that any person who might have taken refuge in the branches of 

 that large tree must have held on exceedingly tight to have 

 avoided a fall, so severe was the concussion. 



When it is considered that a large bull elephant weighs between 

 six and seven tons, which weight is set in movement by the 

 muscular exertion of the animal, there is at once an explanation 

 of the force against a tree, whirl), although large, would hardly 

 exceed that weight. 



The memory of elephants must be peculiarly keen, as they 

 remember the seasons for visiting certain districts where some par- 

 ticular food is produced in attractive quantities. In the southern 

 district of Ceylon, between Yalle river and the sea-coast, there are 

 great numbers of the Bael tree, the fruit of which resembles a 

 large cricket-ball. The shell is hard, and when ripe it becomes 



