The Monarchs of the Herd 53 



and at all times finding leaves, roots and fruits 

 of various species adapted to his use during the 

 season of their ripeness ; while astringent barks 

 served to keep him in health during the trying 

 spring months. It was not often that he re- 

 gretted his former gregarious life ; at times he 

 felt lonely, and then, in evil temper, vented his 

 rage on the trees around him. But these fits 

 soon passed, and he proceeded on his placid 

 way, harming no one, and content to be left to 

 enjoy his own life. 



Such was his lot during maturity, but as old 

 age crept over him the difficulties increased, 

 not of finding, but of utilizing the food which 

 nature provided in such profusion around him. 

 His tusks no longer grew fast enough to re- 

 place the wear and tear of forest life, they 

 became worn and rough ; his teeth, too, could 

 no longer crush the bamboo, the twigs and 

 coarser grasses, so that the constant search for 

 softer food became laborious. His forehead 

 and trunk were now thickly mottled with white, 

 and the edges of his great ears hung in tatters ; 

 the bones showed through the grey hide, and 



