xxvu 



ears, and legs— and should feed well (Slymm). In purchasing 

 an olephant we should make it lie do^vn and tap smartly all over 

 the sole of the foot,* for the dealers plug sinuous nlcers of this 

 part with great skill. Galls of various kinds are liable to heal 

 superficially and then recur and accordingly should be specially 

 looked for in examinations for soundness under the saddle, on 

 the forehead, and in other likely positions. Both Ouchterlony 

 and Forsyth touch on the question of examination as to sound- 

 ness. The hints they give are good and are summarized in our 

 notes as follows :— Examine eyes, then trunk for age and general 

 state of the health ; ears for scabs and ulcers at their supero-exter- 

 nal parts and junction with the head, also their free margins and 

 the ear holes ; the spine for saddle galls, warts, and so on. Look 

 for galls on belly, withers, loins, and shoulder ; feet for wear and 

 absence of disease ; try the paces, and examine as to age, docility, 

 and degree of training. The selection of the animal, of course, 

 depends to an extent in the work required from him. The most 

 generally useful are of medium, height ; with large barrel j large 

 broad, straight back (such being generally sound and free from 

 galls and better adapted for carrying a howdah than a highly 

 arched one ; massive head ; open chest ; a mukhna is the best, 

 and a cow better than a bull ; height medium ; age at least twenty 

 years, preferably somewhat more. 



The following summary from a Singalese book on the Elephant 

 may prove interesting to the reader. Marks of inferior breeding : — 

 eyes restless ; hair of head of mixed shades ; face wiinkled ; 

 tongue curved and black ; nails short and green ; ears small ; 

 neck thin ; skin freckled ; tail tuftless ; forehand lean and low. 

 Marks of perfection : — skin soft; tongue and mouth red; forehead 

 expansive and hollow ; ears broad and rectangular; trunk broad 

 at the root and blotched with pink in front ; eyes bright and 

 kindly ; cheeks large ; neck full ; back level ; chest square ; fore 

 legs short and convex in front ; hind quarters plump ; five nails to 

 each foot all smooth, polished, and round ; tail sometimes touch- 

 ing the ground. 



The AGE is to an extent shown by the teeth ; but the size, state 

 of the tail, and the condition of the ears, feet, and trunk assist us 



* In a good working beast the lower margins of the toe nails will be 

 found worn. 



