POINTS OF ELEPHANTS. 83 



mouth in the manner common to most quadrupeds. In drinking, only ahout, 

 fifteen inches of the end of the trunk are filled with water at a time ; the 

 trunk is then curled backwards so as to reach the mouth, and the water is 

 blown into it. Wild elephants' trunks are occasionally cut by the sharp 

 edges of split bamboos whilst feeding. One which I saw had more than 

 a foot of the outer cuticle stripped off the trunk ; another, a healed gash 

 penetrating to one of the nostrils of the trunk from the outside. 



The elephant is essentially a native's animal. Natives alone have fully 

 studied his peculiarities and classified him into castes ; his capture, training, 

 and keeping, are in native hands, as well as the trade ; and the native 

 standard of merit regulates the market. 



Commercially elephants come under only two classes — the one of page- 

 antry, the other of utility. Every native prince or nobleman of distinction 

 in India keeps elephants to swell his retinue : Government and private per- 

 sons, as timber contractors, &c., require them for work. 



The native requirements in an elephant differ essentially from ours. 

 They prize the animal chiefly as an adjunct to court display and temple pro- 

 cessions. Consequently perfection of form and carriage are paramount from 

 their point of view. As we require it for economic purposes, strength, do- 

 cility, and courage are first considerations with us. The most perfect shoot- 

 ing elephant may be of small value to a native, whilst gaudy animals, with 

 perhaps nothing but their looks to recommend them, are highly valued. 



The native standard of a good elephant does, however, comprise all 

 essentials to excellence for any purpose ; and putting aside minor and 

 whimsical requirements, consisting in certain lucky or unlucky marks, 

 correctly distinguishes the most desirable animals. In fancy beasts, a too 

 short or too long tail, a black mark on the tongue, or a less number of nails 

 than eighteen (some elephants have but sixteen ; the usual number is five 

 on each fore foot, and four on each hind), are defects sufficient to disqualify 

 the best animals. 



l^lephants are divided by natives into three castes or breeds, distin- 

 guished by their physical conformation ; these are termed in Bengal 

 Koomeriah, Dwdsala, and Meerga, which terms may be considered to signify 

 thorough-bred, half-bred, and third-rates. The term Koomeriah signifies 

 royal or princely. Meerga is probably a corruption of the Sanscrit viriga, 

 a deer ; the Hght bmld and length of leg of this class of elephants suggest 

 the comparison. Dwdsala in Persian means two things or originals, and in 

 reference to the elephant, signifies the blending of the first and third castes 

 into the intermediate one. 



Only animals possessing extreme divergence rank as Koomeriahs or 



