70 



two in number and situated under the chest. It was at one time 

 tLought that the young clophaut sucks with his trunk, but it is 

 now definitely ascertained that this idea is an error based on the 

 fact that while sucking the calf caresses the mammaB with the 

 trunk, and probably thereby assists the flow of milk. The nipple 

 is gi-asped by the side of the mouth, and the dam bends the chest 

 downwards that the littlo one may reach with ease, or is spared 

 this labour by the care of the attendants in raising a small mound 

 for the calf to rest ou (Corse, Philosophical Transactions, 1799), 

 It is said that the position of the two breasts in the female " en- 

 ables the young one to suck as it runs along beside the mother 

 or even under her belly" (Williamson). Ouchterlony says the 

 young are sometimes fed by means of the tnmk. 



Paeturition. Mr. George Artingstall has published a paper on 

 Parturition in the elephant which is reproduced in the Veterinary 

 Journal, July, 1882. " For the first few months the animal appear- 

 ed as usual, but as she advanced towards full term she grew heavy 

 and sluggish, until the last month, when she became decidedly lazy. 

 One of the earliest symptoms noted was the enlargement of the 

 mamma3 which were quite prominent from the fourth month, but 

 developed slowly within the last few weeks, when they rapidly g^n- 

 ed in size, until they were about as large as those of an ordinary 

 Durham cow. As near as could be determined each organ would 

 measure from 6-8 inches from base to point of nipple, and at the 

 base about 24 inches in circumference. Each nipple was covered 

 until the day of deliveiy with a scaly coating. On the morning of 

 2nd Feb. 1882 the animal appeared about as usual, but during the 

 forenoon the scaly crusts over the nipples peeled off and watery 

 mucous dischai'ge v.'as noticed coming fi-om the numerous openings 

 of each. Close observation revealed the fact that each nipple in- 

 stead of having a single or common opening had several — the right 

 eleven and the left thirteen. About two hours before delivery 

 there was a slight watery discharge from the vagina, and it was 

 plain that the lips of the vulva were swollen, the vessels distend- 

 ed ■\vith blood, which appeared as many blue lines. When these 

 symptoms were first noticed, the Queen was separated from the 

 rest of the elephants, placed in a room by herself, and securely 

 fastened. She kept on eating, and seemed perfectly well until 

 twenty minutes before the baby was born. From that time until 



