THE INDIAN ELEPHANT 



of powerful interest in high places, probably be 

 refused, unless a really troublesome " rogue " should 

 prove dangerous to human life, or habitually de- 

 structive to property. 



After an elephant has been bagged, the tusks 

 must be taken out as soon as possible, unless, 

 indeed, time be no object, and where there is no 

 danger of their being stolen if left, in which latter 

 event they may be left in the carcass and drawn out 

 after decomposition has loosened them, some ten or 

 twelve days later. In extracting the tusks, the 

 skin and muscles covering the tusk-cases must be 

 removed, and the latter split up with a small axe, 

 great care being taken not to break the thin upper- 

 most portions of the trophies. The latter must then 

 be emptied of the red pulp which fills their hollow 

 portions, and be thoroughly washed. In packing 

 for travelling, to prevent breakage, the thin upper 

 portions may be filled each with a large plug of 

 wood which just fills the cavity. Each tusk may 

 then be completely enveloped in straw ropes tightly 

 and closely wound round it and secured with string. 



If it be desired to preserve the feet, which make 

 very nice trophies, they should, as soon as possible 

 after the animal has been bagged, be cut off at the 

 required height say 18 or 20 inches and men at 

 once set to work upon them. Two men should be 

 told off to each foot, and they must, with sharp 

 knives, remove all the flesh and bones right down 

 to the gristly sole, and then pare the latter down 

 as thin as possible. This done, and the skin 

 thoroughly cleansed of all adherent muscle and 

 Q 225 



