740 



THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT. 



which the Elephant feels at the attacks of so small an animal as a dog is quite extraor- 

 dinary. He does not seem to know what he is doing, and at one time will try to 

 kneel on his irritating foes, or will even push down a tree in hopes of crushing them 

 under its branches. This species is not so readily killed by a single ball as is its Asiatic 

 relative, but instances are not wanting where an African Elephant has been slain by a 

 single ball, which entered by the nostrils, and penetrated to the brain. In chasing this 

 animal, the white hunter always prefers a gun with a very wide bore, as the execution 



AFRICAN ELEPHANT. Loxodoata AMcana. 



which is done depends more upon the weight of the missile than on the accuracy with 

 which it is sent. One great value of the heavy ball, of two or even three ounces in 

 weight, is, that it will break the leg of the animal, and so render him at once helpless. 

 The bone does not always give way at once when struck by so heavy a ball, but is sure 

 to snap after the animal has made a few paces. 



The most deadly gun for Elephant shooting seems to be a breech-loader, either double 

 or single, and carrying a ball weighing not less than two ounces. The apparatus of ram- 

 rod and powder-flask is thus rendered needless, and each charge being separately made 



