VOL. LXXXIX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 509 



the improvement of every species of useful animal, the most valuable esculent 

 plants have been almost wholly neglected. But when the extent of the benefit which 

 would arise to the agriculture of the country, from the possession of varieties of 

 plants which, with the same extent of soil and labour, would afford even a small 

 increase of produce, is considered, this subject appears of no inconsiderable im- 

 portance. The improvement of animals is attended with much expence, and the 

 improved kinds necessarily extend themselves slowly; but a single bushel of im- 

 proved wheat or peas, may in J O years be made to afford seed enough to supply 

 the whole island; and a single apple, or other fruit-tree, may within the same time 

 be extended to every garden in it. These considerations have given rise to the fore- 

 going observations; for it was much my wish to have ascertained first, whether in 

 any instance a single plant can be the offspring of 2 male parents. The decision 

 of that question must of necessity have occupied 2 years, and must therefore be left 

 to the test of future experiment. 



XIII. Observations on the Different Species of Asiatic Elephants, and their Mode 

 of Dentition. By John Corse, Esq. p. 205. 



Before entering on this new and curious subject, it may be proper to premise a 

 few general observations on the various zats, or casts, of the Asiatic elephant, and 

 on the tusks ; as the form and size of these give a diversity of appearance, which 

 may be considered as forming varieties of the same species of elephant. Both 

 males and females are divided into 2 casts, by the natives of Bengal, viz. the 

 koomareah* and the merghee *|~; and this without any regard to the appearance, 

 shape, or size of the tusks in the male, as these serve merely to characterize some 

 varieties in the species. The koomareah is a deep-bodied, strong, compact ele- 

 phant, with a large trunk, legs short, but thick, in proportion to the size of the 

 animal. The merghee cast, when full grown, is generally taller than the former, 

 but has not so compact a form, nor is he so strong, or so capable of bearing fatigue; 

 his legs are long, he travels fast, has a lighter body, and his trunk is both short 

 and slender, in proportion to his height. A large trunk is always esteemed a great 

 beauty in an elephant; so that the koomareah is preferred, not only for this, but 

 for its superior strength, by which it can undergo greater fatigue, and carry heavier 

 loads, than the merghee. 



As there appears however no predilection in any of these elephants to have con- 

 nection with his own particular kind, from an indiscriminate intercourse several 

 varieties are produced, partaking of the qualities of their respective progenitors. 

 This mixed breed is in greater or less estimation, in proportion as it partakes of 

 the qualities of the koomareah, or merghee cast. A breed from a pure koomareah 



* Koomareah signifies of a princely race; being derived from koomarah, a prince, or king's son. — 

 t Merghee, properly mrigee, from mrigah, a deer, or hunting, signifies an elephant used in hunting j 

 or it is so called from its slender make. — Orig. 



