57 



for ripe mangos growing out of the common reach, he selected the 

 most fruitful branch, and breaking it otf with his trunk, offered it 

 to the driver for the company in the houdah, accepting of any 

 part given to himself with a respectful salam, by raising his trunk 

 three times above his head, in the manner of the oriental obeisance, 

 and as often did he express his thanks by a murmuring noise. 

 When a bough obstructed the houdah, he twisted his trunk around 

 it, and though of considerable magnitude, broke it off with ease, 

 and often gathered a leafy branch, either to keep off the flies, or 

 as a fan to agitate the air around him, by waving it with his trunk; 

 he generally paid a visit at the tent-door during breakfast, to pro- 

 cure sugar-candy or fruit, and be cheered by the encomiums and 

 caresses he deservedly met with: no spaniel could be more inno- 

 cently playful, nor fonder of those who noticed him, than this docile 

 animal, who on particular occasions appeared conscious of his 

 exaltation above the brute creation. 



The Ayeen-Akbery mentions elephants that were taught to 

 shoot an arrow out of a bow, to learn the modes which can only 

 be understood by those skilled in music, and to move their limbs 

 in time: we there learn, that upon a signal given by his keeper, 

 the elephant hides eatables in the corner of his mouth, and when 

 they are alone together, takes them out again, and gives them to 

 the man : that with his trunk he draws water out of his stomach 

 which he has reserved there, to sprinkle himself in hot weather; 

 from thence also he takes grass on the second day, without ils 

 having undergone any change, doubtless to appease his hunger in 

 case of an emergency, which does not often happen to the tame ele- 

 phants. The Mogul emperors allowed their favourites one maund 



VOL. II. I 



