Abl PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [ANNO 17QQ. 



About 2 in the afternoon of the same day, I was desired to repair to the place 

 where the elephants stood, as the male had been trying to get nearer the female. 

 On this I proceeded to the spot, with my friend Capt. Robt. Burke Gregory: when 

 we arrived, I ordered the male to be freed from his shackles; and, after some toying, 

 and a few mutual caresses, we had the satisfaction to see him cover the female. 

 When the male mounted, he placed 1 of his fore-legs on each side of her spine, 

 with his feet turned to, and pressing against her shoulders, and his trunk over her 

 forehead; supporting himself firmly in this situation, during coition, which he 

 continued nearly the same time, and in the same manner, as a horse with 

 a mare. 



The female remained perfectly still, during the coitus. When the male had 

 finished, he stood quietly by her side, while she caressed him with her trunk; and 

 as they then appeared well pleased, and gentle as usual, I went up and patted them 

 both, as I had formerly been accustomed to do, without the smallest apprehension. 

 In the evening they were brought home to be fed; and though only a few hours 

 had elapsed since his last embrace, the male seemed inclined to make another at- 

 tempt; to which I would have consented, to gratify a crowd of people then present, 

 had I not now learned, that he had covered the female in the open plain, about 10 

 in the morning, when going out for food, in spite of the exertions of the drivers 

 and attendants; at least so they alleged, in excuse for having permitted it, contrary 

 to my orders. As he had already covered 4 times in about 1(3 hours, I was afraid a 

 further indulgence might be prejudicial, and therefore would not permit it; 

 especially as Mr. Imhoff, to whom he then belonged, was absent. That gentle- 

 man however returned 8 days after; but when the 2 elephants were brought to- 

 gether, in order that Mr. ImhofFs curiosity might be indulged with so novel a 

 sight, the female, being no longer in heat, was so uncivil as to give the 

 male a kick in the face, when he was using what she then thought improper liber- 

 ties; nor did she afterwards permit him to cover her, though, when standing to- 

 gether, they mutually indulged in a few caresses. 



During the time they were kept together, the male never showed signs of his 

 passions being excited, by any exudation from the ducts of the glands near his 

 temples; which is generally considered as the sign of a male elephant being pecu- 

 liarly ready for the female. This however I am inclined to believe is a vulgar error; 

 as not one of the male elephants I have seen cover, in a domestic state, nor any of 

 the males which were caught singly, or rather entrapped, by their desire to have 

 connexion with the tame females, had at those times the smallest appearance of 

 such an exudation. Had this happened in any 1 instance, during my residence in 

 Tiperah, I think I must have known it; for when this exudation takes place, the 

 elephant has a dull heavy look, and it is dangerous for strangers to go near him. I 

 have seen elephants in this situation, after they had been many years caught; but 

 though they were then said to have their passions excited, I have never known one 

 to cover during the continuance of this exudation : nor have elephants, so far as I 



