3311 



seley says "72 cwt., of which 4/10 ia borne on the hind feet, 

 whion are 6i feet from the fore legs." The full growth is attain- 

 ed at 20 — 25 years of age, which may be considered the age of 

 puberty. Then the sexual passion of the male manifests itself 

 and he is driven from the herd to live a solitary life until, at 35, 

 he attains maturity and adult strength to enable him to assume 

 command of a herd. Maturity is earlier in the female, the first calf 

 being born when the cow is 13 to 16 years of age, generally 

 during the rains in September to November. The young animal is 

 capable of moving with the herd in a day or two after birth and 

 lives on the mother's milk for some five or six months; one obser- 

 ver states that "many elephants suck for 10 or 12 years," which 

 savours somewhat of exaggeration ! Tender grass and delicate 

 herbage is the earliest solid food of the calf and he rapidly 

 thrives on it. Although the cow is said to evince " no special 

 attachment for the offspring" it is certain that she protects the 

 Uttle one in various ways carrying it over rivers with her trunk 

 or on her shoulder and protecting it from injury with great zeal 

 and bravery. Also in spite of her notorious dislike for small 

 animals, especially dogs and fowls, she fondles the calf with her 

 trunk and facilitates its obtaining its natural food. 



When, in due course of time, the youngster becomes a recog- 

 nized member of the herd he shares with it the free life in the 

 jungle. The elephant (like most other pachyderms) loves water, 

 will draw it into his trunk and blow it over his body surface, rolls 

 in the stream or tank, and gambols freely, giving free way to the 

 sportive tendencies of his nature, or quietly lies broadside enjoy- 

 ing the cool moisture. Although essentially a tropical animal he 

 stands exposure to considerable heat badly : he constantly en- 

 deavours to cover the upper part of the head and more exposed 

 ■parts of his body with leaves, branches, and mud, also, we are 

 told by one author that the elephant is enabled to draw from his 

 throat by means of his trunk, a copious supply of saliva (probably 

 fluid accumulated in the pharyngal pouch) which it squirts with 

 ■ great force very frequently all over its skin, and that "itgnibaup 

 dust and blows it over its back and sides to keep off the flies, and 

 • may often be seen fanning itself with a large bough." Dr. Cobbold, 

 in commenting on the paucity of Ectozoa of the elephant attributes 

 it ' to the " rough time" they would have in consequence of :thia 



