1432 The Zoologist — November, 1868. 



the shade of a tree to watch their habits, they are at first not quite 

 certain what kind of a creature I may be, and they give a peculiar cry 

 to induce me to move and show myself more distinctly." — p. 237. 



Were I to attempt the merest outline of all that Sir Samuel Baker 

 has written on elephants and elephant-hunting, or to give any idea of 

 the prowess required and the danger incurred in this most exciting 

 occupation, 1 could fill an entire number of the 'Zoologist' without 

 the slightest difficulty, but I forbear; and as a plea or an excuse for 

 the remorseless energy with which this majestic beast is pursued, 

 persecuted, hamstrung and slaughtered, I will quote a passage that 

 treats of him as a depredator, a dangerous aggressor on the property 

 of the human inhabitants of these primitive wilds. 



" The country for several miles upon the table-land above Wat el 

 Negur was highly cultivated, and several thousand acres were planted 

 with dhurra, that was at this season in full grain and nearly ripe. 

 Much sesame was grown for the manufacture of oil ; cotton was also 

 cultivated, and the neighbourhood was a fair example of the won- 

 derful capabilities of the entire country that was allowed to lie in 

 idleness. There was little rest for the inhabitants at this time, as the 

 nights were spent in watching their extensive plantations, and en- 

 deavouring to scare away the elephants. These animals, with extreme 

 cunning, invaded the dhurra crops at different positious every night, 

 and retreated before morning to great distances in the thick thorny 

 jungles of the Setlite. 



" Our arrival was welcomed with general enthusiasm, as the Arabs 

 were unprovided with fire-arms, and the celebrated aggageers or 

 sword-hunters were useless, as the elephants only appeared at night, 

 and were far too cunning to give them a chance. There was a par- 

 ticular range of almost impenetrably thorny covert in the neighbour- 

 hood of Geera, well known as the asylum for these animals, to which 

 they retreated, after having satiated themselves by a few hours' 

 feeding upon the crops of corn. I promised to assist in protecting 

 the plantations, although the Arabs assured me that, in spite of our 

 rifles, the elephants would return every night. Wishing to judge 

 personally of the damage, I rode up to the dhurra fields, and for a few 

 hours I examined the crops, through which I could ride with ease, as 

 the plants were arranged like hops. 



" Many acres were absolutely destroyed, as the elephants had not 

 only carefully stripped off the heavy heads of com, but had trampled 



