22 Great and Small Game of Africa 



Elephants' tusks curve upwards and inwards, more or less. Some are 

 much straighter than others, and while most have a marked double bend 

 there are some having the curve only in one plane ; but the tendency of 

 all, unless when much worn down at the ends, is for the points to converge. 

 If they pointed outwards, as is often represented in illustrations, and as they 

 are unnaturally made to in some mounted skulls, it would be impossible 

 for the animal bearing a long pair to pass through thick bush without 

 getting constantly hung up. The tusks are sometimes used in digging out 

 roots, and in this way a piece is often broken off the end, while one 

 (generally the right) is almost always more worn than its fellow. There 

 is one peculiar mark, commonly observable, particularly in cow ivory, 

 which I have never been able to account for, and Mr. Selous tells me he is 

 equally puzzled by it. I refer to a narrow groove on one side of the tip 

 of the tusk, evidently caused by friction ; but how it is done I am at a 

 loss to explain. 



Tuskless elephants are almost unknown in East Equatorial Africa, 

 although in the south they are apparently not. uncommon (Mr. Selous 

 often mentions instances). Von Hohnel speaks of a single specimen (a 

 bull) seen by Count Teleki and himself, and says that it was the only 

 example they met with. I myself have never seen one. Specimens with 

 only one tusk are, however, occasionally found. I believe the tradition 

 that a single tusk is generally of abnormal size is without foundation in fact. 



Owing to the nature of the country which they frequent, the pursuit of 

 elephants is, in my opinion, a somewhat dangerous sport ; and in this I am 

 supported by the testimony of every one of the few travellers who have 

 tried it in the part of Africa treated of. For my own part I find it the 

 most exciting of any kind I have ever engaged in, as well as the hardest 

 work. 



It is true that great skill in marksmanship is not the quality most 

 needed in elephant shooting. Endurance, litheness, aptitude for taking the 



