Trail and Camp-Fire 



the south are converted into gigantic shav- 

 ings of desirable thicknesses. The knife- 

 blade, starting from the outside, pares around 

 the circumference of the tusk until it reaches 

 its very core. These shavings are then placed 

 in water, and so soft does the structure be- 

 come, that the strips uncurl themselves. This 

 results in a very easily worked material, and 

 with the loss of hardly any ivory in the pro- 

 cess. The hard northern ivory, on the con- 

 trary, is very difficult to work, and not at all 

 amenable to similar treatment. Why this 

 difference in size and consistency varies ac- 

 cording to the amount of water in a country 

 is not clear, except that elephants in well- 

 watered regions need large and strong dig- 

 ging implements, as they live largely on roots 

 and bulbs, whereas the animals in less moist 

 districts are largely tree feeders, and, not 

 requiring as large tusks, do not develop them. 



The next day we came up with A. D. S., 

 and found that he, also, had been fortunate, 

 and had several exciting encounters to relate. 



Our provisions were running a little low, so 

 we sent two men and some camels back to 

 the coast for supplies. Natives attacked 

 them on the way down, but were kept off by 



io6 



inor 



