The Elephant 37 



Meerga elephants exhibit marked contrasts, and experi- 

 ence has taught Europeans their respective values. The 

 first is the best proportioned, bravest, and most tractable 

 specimen of its kind; but it is rare. Intermediate be- 

 tween the thoroughbred and an ugly, "weedy," and in 

 every way ill-conditioned Meerga, comes what is called 

 the Dwasala breed, to which about seventy per cent of all 

 elephants in Asia belong. "Whole herds," says Sander- 

 son, "frequently consist of Dwasalas, but never of Koo- 

 meriahs." Almost all animals used in hunting are of 

 this middle class, and they constitute by far the largest 

 division of those kept by the government. Females 

 greatly outnumber males, and it may be owing to this 

 fact that so many have been used in the pursuit of large 

 game, although some famous sportsmen maintain that 

 these are naturally more courageous and stancher than 

 tuskers. 



Great as are the unlikenesses seen among inmates of 

 an establishment like that at Teperah, they will be found 

 to be fully equalled by their dissimilarities in character ; 

 and those who have become familiar with elephants come 

 to see that their dispositions and intelligence are to some 

 extent displayed by their ordinary demeanor and looks. 

 It is wonderful how much facial expression an elephant 

 has. The face-skeleton is imperfect ; that is to say, its 

 nasal bones are rudimentary, while the mouth, and in fact 

 all of the lower half of the face, is concealed beneath the 

 great muscles attached to the base of the trunk. But in 

 spite of that, and with his ears uncocked and his proboscis 

 pendant, an elephant's countenance is full of character. 



