J2() THE ELEPHANT. 



and if they come to a river, are the first to pass it. 

 On arriving at the opposite bank, they try whether 

 the Janding-place is safe : if it is, they give a sig- 

 nal with their trunk, on which another division 

 of the old Klephants swim over ; the younger 

 then follow, holding one another by locking their 

 trunks together ; and the rest of the. old ones bring 

 up the rear *. 



As the modes of taking this animal, and ren- 

 dering it submissive to human authority, merit 

 particular attention, I shall, in a cursory manner, 

 describe those pursued by the inhabitants of a few 

 of the difllrent countries of the East. 



At Tepiira, in the East Indies, the manner 

 of securing a single male, is very different from 

 that employed in taking a herd. In the former case, 

 wdiich I shall first mention, the animal is taken by 

 means of Koomkees, or female Elephants, trained 

 for rlie purpose ; whereas in the latter case they are 

 driven into a strong inelosure. 



As tlie hunters know the ])laccs where the Ele- 

 p'lants come out to feed, they advance towards 

 tjicni in tlie evening with four Koonikees, the num- 

 ber of uhieh each hunting party consists. When 

 the nights are dark, the male Elephants are disco- 

 vered by the noise tliey make in cleaning their 

 food, which they do by whisking and striking it 

 :igainst their fore-legs ; and in the moon-light 

 nights may to be seen distinctly at some dis- 

 tance. 



'onii. (-iuad. i. 1.")^. 



