MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 325 



Purchasing. — To begin with, it will perhaps be as well to mention the points 

 of a healthy elephant. 



The animal is in constant motion, with the ears flapping, and the tail and 

 trunk swinging to and fro. The skin is almost black, and the bristles covering 

 the body are firm to the touch; the light-coloured spots on the head and trunk 

 are of a pinkish colour ; the eye is bright and clear, pulse from 48 to 50 per 

 minute ; mucous membranes of mouth, etc., are of a beautiful pink colour ; 

 the back is free from scars ; a moist secretion exudes around and above the 

 nails, and is easily seen by throwing a little dust on the parts ; the pads are 

 hard, and free from tenderness ; any signs of the latter may readily be 

 detected, as the tender patches are smooth and of a yellowish-pink colour. 

 If the appetite is good, the animal sleeps for a few hours every night, and 

 on waking commences to feed. 



The signs of ill-health are general languor, the skin looks greyish in colour, 

 as also do the spots on the head and trunk ; the mucous membranes are pale 

 or deep red, with or without dark blotches on the palate; pulse is abnormal, 

 appetite is lost ; the animal does not take proper rest ; eyes are dull, and 

 there is frequently a copious flow of tears ; there is usually fever, and the 

 animal may be out of condition. As with other things, when buying 

 elephants the purchaser should not be in a hurry, as his bargains may not 

 afterwards prove to be all he desired. A little time should be taken to ascertain 

 the idiosyncrasies of the beast about to be bought. The manner in which 

 the keeper goes about his charge should be noted. Some animals are very 

 full of tricks, and, if not approached to their liking, may attack a new 

 keeper, or if timid, be scared for ever. The animal should be marched about, 

 and the pads carefully inspected after exercise ; it is a common thing to 

 fill up holes in the pads with stopping. 



Burmans look upon elephants with certain habits with superstitious dread ; 

 such creatures may be bought at very moderate figures. An elephant 

 showing a peculiar general restlessness of the body somewhat after the 

 manner of a bear, is much dreaded, as also is a creature that has the habit 

 of swinging his trunk only to the right and left. 



The height of elephants is measured in cubits. The cubit is about 

 twenty inches. 



With regard to age, the appearance of an old animal is as follows : — The 

 head is lean, deep hollows are present over the eyes, there is frequently a 

 certain amount of opacity around the margin of the cornese {Arcus senilis), 

 and an abnormal flow of tears. The edges of the ears are torn and frayed ; 

 the skin of the trunk is rough, something like shark skin ; the trunk itself seems 

 to have lost a certain amount of its suppleness ; the skin over the body is much 

 shrivelled ; the tail is hard, and the end may be devoid of hair ; the skin 

 around the nails presents a rough or warty appearance ; the legs are thinner 

 than they ought to be. Other indications of age are, the general appearance, 



