ORDER VII. TACIIYDERJIATA. 281 



Sfiims, and arc valuaLle to dealers, being tlic sceond in t-ize and strength to 

 tlie leader of the herd. Two decoy elephants, or koond<ics, as they are 

 termed, are generally employed in this business, attended by the mahout, 

 l)rovided with a black covering and strong ropes. A\'hen the wild animal is 

 discovered, the decoys approach as near as possible, the mahout mounted, 

 covered with his cloak, and crouching. AVlien afraid of discovery, he slides 

 down, and the females proceed alone on their treacherous errand, in which 

 they generally succeed so well by caresses, as to distract the attention of 

 the animal, and thus enable the men to bind his legs. Sometimes, dm-ing 

 tiie caresses, he is led towards a tree, and his bonds made fast to it. The 

 clasps for the hind legs arc made with a joint in the middle, and studded iu 

 the inside with short nails, which inflict much pain when the animal begins 

 to struiTLrlc, and ultimately oblige him to desist. In case of the men beinn- 

 discovered during tlic operation of binding, the tame elephants will attack and 

 restrain the wild animal until they escape ; and instances even arc told of 

 their having suft'ered death in defence of their keeper. li' the binding is suc- 

 cessful, the animal is left to himself during the first day, and on discovering 

 his position vents his anger and disappointment in struggles and incessant 

 roaring, refusing all sustenance or kindness. Thirst and exhaustion, how- 

 ever, begin to tame him, and he gradually receives water, and the same tame 

 animals which captured him, with their keepers, by degrees win upon him 

 by pampering his appetite, and doing him various acts of kindness. Before 

 being liberated, large ropes are fastened around his body. When still 

 troublesome, — and they sometimes make furious attempts to escape, — the 

 leading elephant proceeds as quickly as possible, while others goad him 

 beliind, and the mahouts spur them on. 



From the earliest periods the elephant has been subjected to the domina- 

 tion of man, l)y whom it has been employed as a beast of l)m'den, but more 

 especially as a powerful auxiliary in war. AVhcn King Pyrrhus invaded the 

 territory of the lioman commonwealth, he was accom[ianied i)y a large num- 

 ber of these animals, and owed his first victories to the terror which they 

 inspired among the lioman soldiers, who were at that time unacquainted 

 with them. 



The elephant unquestionably belongs to the most intellectual class of ani- 

 mals, and is capable of considerable education. Endowed with a strong 

 memory, it scarcely ever forgets the instructions it has once received, and is, 

 consequently, able to perform not oidy a great many amusing tricks, but 

 numerous useful labors. It is grateful, kind, and allectionate towards those 

 from whom it receives benevolent treatment, but remembers and avenges 

 terribly any wrong which may be inflicted upon it. 



E. Afriraniis. The African elephant is somewhat smaller than the 

 NO. VIII. 36 



