The Wild Elephant of Ceylon. 19 



gentleman who lately exclaimed " Poor thing ! " be 

 thankful to the lucky bullet that would save him from 

 destruction ? 



There are no animals more misunderstood than 

 elephants ; they are naturally savage, wary and 

 revengeful, displaying as great courage when in their 

 wild state as any animal known. The fact of their 

 great natural sagacity renders them the more dangerous 

 as foes. Even when tamed there are many that are not 

 safe for a stranger to approach, and they are then only 

 kept in awe by the sharp driving hook of the mohout. 



In their domesticated state I have seen them perform 

 wonders of sagacity and strength ; but I have nothing 

 to do with tame elephants ; there are whole books 

 written upon the subject, although the habits of an 

 elephant can be described in a few words. 



All wild animals in a tropical country avoid the sun. 

 They wander forth to feed upon the plains in the 

 evening and during the night, and they return to the 

 jungle shortly after sunrise. 



Elephants have the same habits. In those parts of 

 the country where such pasturage abounds as bamboo, 

 lemon grass, sedges on the banks of rivers, lakes and 

 swamps, elephants are sure to be found at such sea- 

 sons as are most propitious for the growth of these 

 plants. When the dry weather destroys this supply of 

 food in one district, they migrate to another part of the 

 country. 



They come forth to feed about 4 p. M., and they inva- 

 riably retire to the thickest and most thorny jungle in 

 the neighborhood of their feeding-place by 7 a. m. In 

 these impenetrable haunts they consider themselves 

 secure from aggression. 



