CURIOUS CREEPER. 147 



cane itself contains a large quantity of water throughout its length. 1 cut 

 twenty-two feet off one of about three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and 

 by simply blowing through it obtained half a tumblerful. The roots, and 

 eprouts when just above ground, make a good vegetable. To prepare the 

 €ane for commerce, the rough peel, studded with thorns, is merely stripped 

 off, and the cane is ready for use. 



One remarkable product of these jungles is a parasite creeper generally 

 about as thick as a man's arm, and looldng like a dried stick. It hangs 

 from trees, its leaves and young shoots being up amongst the foliage. If 

 slashed through in one place only there is no result ; but if another slash 

 be given above, thus admitting air, a cupful or so of water gushes from 

 the lower cut ; the water seems quite drinkable. All along the river were 

 a great many tracks of sambur ; fruits of different kinds attracted the deer. 

 I found the morning's track of a solitary elephant whilst rambling in the 

 neighbourhood of camp. Jungle-fowl {Gallus ferrugincus) were plentiful, 

 as weU as the black khalege pheasant ; also the beautiful peacock pheasant 

 {Polyplectron chinquis). 



January 2. — Yesterday some of the mahouts, when out collecting fodder, 

 discovered an old course of the river, in which was a pool of water full of 

 fish. The pool was about 150 yards in length, 50 wide, and 6 feet deep. 

 It evidently only had communication with the river during floods, and was 

 isolated at other times ; shady trees overhung it, and it was a most perfect 

 preserve. I saw large fish of the carp tribe sailing about in it, and some 

 monsters like pike. I decided forthwith to have fish for dinner. 



A rod could not be used for the trees, nor could a fish have been played 

 for the weeds, so I decided on another plan, which would furnish fun to the 

 whole camp and fish for everybody. 



It may not be generally known that fishing is one of the many useful 

 acquirements of the elephant. Such, however, is the case ; and without the 

 aid of ours on this occasion, many a fine fish, which was shortly to be made 

 as salt as was Lot's wife, might still be gliding about in that retired jungle- 

 pool. 



I had twenty-five elephants mustered without their gear, and all the 

 spare men, who in great glee provided themselves with hastily-improvised 

 bamboo spears, baskets, knives. &c., and we put the elephants in line at one 

 end of the pool, two or three delighted attendants on the back of each. The 

 elephants advanced down the pool in close order, enjo}TLag the bath, and 

 making the water surge as if a paddle-steamer was on it. Their feet stirred 

 up the thick mud at the bottom, and I knew this would soon make the ''"'■ 

 -show themselves. 



