526 MODE OF MEASURING ELEPHANTS. 



The elephant first killed was a male, not full grown ; 

 his height at the withers 8 feet 4 inches ; circumference 

 of the fore foot 44 inches x 2 = 7 feet 4 inches. The 

 female was full grown, and measured in height 8 feet 

 8 inches ; circumference of the fore foot 48 inches x 2 = 



8 feet (96 inches). We afterwards found, that full-grown 

 male elephants of this region ranged in height at the 

 withers from 9 feet 9 inches to 9 feet 10 inches ; and the 

 circumference of the fore foot to be 4 feet 9^ inches x 2 = 



9 feet 7 inches. These details are given because the 

 general rule has been observed, that twice the circum- 

 ference of the impression made by the fore foot on the 

 ground, is the height of the animal. The print on the 

 ground being a little larger than the foot itself, would thus 

 seem to be an accurate mode of measuring the size of 

 any elephant that has passed ; but the above measure- 

 ments show, that it is applicable only to full-grown animals. 

 The greater size of the African elephant in the south, 

 would at once distinguish it from the Indian one ; but 

 here they approach more nearly to each other in bulk, 

 a female being about as large as a common Indian male. 

 But the ear of the African is an external mark which no 

 one will mistake even in a picture. That of the female 

 now killed, was 4 feet 5 inches in depth, and 4 feet in 

 horizontal breadth. I have seen a native creep under 

 one so as to be quite covered from the rain. The ear 

 of the Indian variety is not more than a third of this size. 

 The representation of elephants on ancient coins shows 

 that this important characteristic was distinctly recognised 

 of old. Indeed, Cuvier remarked that it was better known 

 by Aristotle than by Buffon. 



Having been anxious to learn whether the African 

 elephant is capable of being tamed, through the kindness 

 of my friend Admiral Smyth, I am enabled to give the 

 reader conclusive evidence on this point. In two medals 

 in his work, ' A descriptive Catalogue of his Cabinet of 

 Roman and Imperial large brass Medals,' the size of the 

 ears are at once noted as those of the true xlfrican elephant. 

 They were even more docile than the Asiatic, and were 

 taught various feats, as walking on ropes, dancing, &c. 

 One of the coins is of Faustina senior, the other of Sep- 

 timius Severus, and struck a.d. 197. These elephants 

 were brought from Africa to Rome. The attempt to tame 

 this most useful animal has never been made at the Cape, 



