VOL. LXXXIX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 451 



voung and handsome, and also of a most docile disposition ; I therefore promised 

 his driver a considerable gratuity, if he would get him into high order, so that I 

 might have an opportunity of bringing his procreative powers to trial, with a tame 

 female. In March 1793, the driver of a favourite female elephant informed me, 

 that she had then signs of being in heat; and that, if the male and she were kept 

 together, and highly fed, an intimacy would probably soon take place. They were 

 therefore shortly after this brought near to Comillah, where a spacious shed was 

 erected for their accommodation. 



In the day, they went out together, to feed; they also brought home a load of 

 such succulent food as their drivers and attendants could collect. After their 

 return, they stood together, slept* near each other, and every opportunity was 

 granted them to form a mutual attachment. In the evening, they had each from 

 10 to 12,1b. of rice soaked in water, to which a little salt was added; and, from 

 the middle of May till the latter end of June, some warm stimulants, such as 

 onions, garlic, turmeric, and ginger, were added to their usual allowance of rice. 

 Long before this however a partiality had taken place, as was evident from their 

 mutual endearments, and caressing each other with their trunks; and this without 

 ceremony, before a number of other elephants, as well as their attendants. Near 

 the end of June, I was satisfied the male would not, even to regain his freedom, 

 quit the object of his regard; I therefore ordered the keepers to picket the female, 

 by one of her fore-legs only, in the house where they stood, but to leave the male 

 at full liberty. Fearful however of hurting their supposed delicacy, and thinking 

 the nearness and sight of the attendants might possibly give umbrage to their 

 modesty, I desired them to remain quiet in a little hut, erected on the outside of 

 the building appropriated to the elephants, where they could see equally well as 

 if nearer. 



On the evening of June 28, 1793, the male was let loose from his pickets; 

 and soon after he covered the female without any difficulty, though before this she 

 never could have received the male, being taken when very young, about 5-*- years 

 prior to this period. The male was then led quietly to his stall; but early on the 

 morning of the 29th he became so troublesome, that the drivers, in order, as they 

 said, to quiet him, but partly I suspect to indulge their own curiosity, permitted 

 him to cover her a 2d time; which he readily did, before the usual attendants, as 

 well as a number of other spectators. After this, the driver brought me a parti- 

 cular account of the whole process. Though much pleased with the success of 

 the experiment, yet I was rather chagrined he had not given me notice, that I 

 might have been myself an eye-witness; and therefore told him, he should not 

 receive the promised reward, till I had satisfied myself of the fact. 



* It is always a good sign, when an elephant lies down to sleep, within a few months after he is 

 -taken ; as it shows him to be of a good temper, not suspicious, but reconciled to his fate. Elephants, 

 particularly goondahs, have been known to stand 13 months at their pickets, without lying down to 

 sleep; though they sometimes take a short nap standing. — Orig. 



3M 2 



