DOMESTICATED MAMMALS AND THEIR USES 241 
almost perfect Indian Army’ Corps.’ Since this was written 
much information has been gained as to the dreaded tsetse-fly, 
but apparently there is extremely little chance of horses being 
made immune, z.e. so treated by inoculation or otherwise that 
they will be able to survive if once infected by the peculiar 
minute organism so intimately associated with the all too fatal 
disease. Further, owing to the destruction of cattle by the 
rinderpest, the transport difficulties have been increased in 
Africa, while the frontier wars have increased the demand for 
mules in India. On the other hand, it has been proved that it 
is a comparatively simple matter to cross various breeds of 
mares with a Burchell zebra, and if experts are to be trusted, 
the hybrids (zebra-mules, as some call them) promise to be as 
useful and hardy as they are shapely and attractive. The pre- 
liminary difficulties having been overcome, it remains for those 
in authority to ascertain of what special use, if any, zebra hybrids 
may be in various parts of the Empire, but more especially in 
Africa and India.” Prof. Ewart, in a recent letter (March, 1904), 
has kindly supplied me with further information.—‘‘ Some of the 
hybrids are constantly being driven in Hamburg. Eight of 
those I bred are going to the St. Louis Exposition. Apparently 
a hybrid withstands the tsetse poison better than a zebra which 
has not been reared in the ‘fly’ country. Some of the hybrids 
out of Iceland (inbred) ponies are extremely tractable, and can 
be used for carrying children.” 
Tue ExeprHant.—Although both African and Indian Ele- 
phants can be tamed, it is only the latter species that has been 
of very great service to man as a domesticated animal. Its con- 
siderable intelligence and enormous strength make it useful as 
a beast of burden and for lifting heavy weights (fig. 1176). For 
such purposes, and also in war, it has been employed in the 
East from very remote times. But its nervous temperament and 
uncertain temper constitute serious drawbacks, especially in the 
case of the males. Some of the characteristics of this animal 
are thus described by Sir Samuel Baker (in Wild Beasts and 
their Ways):—‘ Although I may be an exception in the non- 
admiration of the elephant’s sagacity to the degree in which it 
is usually accepted, there is no one who more admires or is so 
foolishly fond of elephants. . . . There is, however, a peculiar 
contradiction in the character of elephants that tends to increase 
VoL. IV. 110 
