TRAINING ELKPHANTS. 117 



state of captivity and coercion. The most amenable are sub- 

 ject to occasional fits of stubborness j and even after years of 

 submission, irritability and resentment will sometimes unac- 

 countably manifest themselves. It may be that the restraints 

 and severer discipline of training have not been entirely forgot- 

 ten J or that incidents which in ordinary health would be pro- 

 ductive of no demonstration whatever, may lead, in moments 

 of temporary illness, to fretfulness and anger. 



In his native country the first employment to which an ele- 

 phant is put is treading clay in a brick-field, or to draw a wagon 

 in double harness with a tame elephant. Af.er this he is pro- 

 moted to moving heavy stones or other material, or in piling- 

 lumber. In these occupations he has an opportunity to display 

 that natural sagacity for which he is noted. It is only neces- 

 sary to make him understand the object desired to be accom- 

 plished, and he will himself devise means to attain that result. 

 In the detail of the work it is seldom necessary to prompt him, 

 and he will even resent an attempt to compel him to adopt a 

 different plan from the one he has selected. His trunk is the 

 instrument on which he principally relies for moving timber 

 and masses of rock ; his tusks, if he possess them, are also of 

 service. Most persons entertain an exaggerated opinion of the 

 elephant's strength. It is currently believed that with but 

 slight exertion he can uproot forest trees, and is in the habit of 

 doing so as a species of mild recreation. It is true he is of 

 considerable service in clearing paths through the jungle, but 

 the removal of even a small tree is a matter of both time and 

 labor. Another common error is the assumption that elephants 

 are so thoroughly creatures of habit, that their movements are 

 purely mechanical, and that any deviation from accustomed 

 ways is excessively annoying and disconcerting to them. The 

 best informed authorities assert that changes of treatment, or 

 of hours of occupation, are as easily made as with a horse. 

 Still another mistake, derived no doubt from the intelligence 

 and earnestness he displays in work, is the idea that he actually 

 enjoys his labor, and will perform his task as faithfully in the 

 absence of his keeper as when he is present The elephant, 

 however, loves his ease, and unless his attendant has a watch- 

 ful eye upon him, he will, on completing the task immediately 

 in hand, stroll off to browse, or to enjoy the luxury of blowing 

 dust over his back. 



The impulse of obedience is very strikingly manifested in 

 the patience with which, at the command of his keeper, he will 

 swallow the nauseating medicines of the native elephant doc- 

 tors. The fortitude with which he submits to excruciating: 



