THE FALL-TRAP. 



141 



and, as far as I know, exclusively employed against the ele- 

 phants. These animals have a way of forming roads or tracks 

 for themselves through the woods, very much like those almost 

 invisible paths which are made by the half- wild sheep of the 

 great Wiltshire Downs, except that they traverse thick forests 

 instead of broad downs. 



The native hunters know all the elephant paths, and if a 

 herd of elephants be seen approaching, the path which they will 

 take is tolerably certain. 



Armed with this knowledge, the native hunters climb the 

 trees, and seat themselves on the branches which overhang 

 the path, each hunter being supplied with one of these spears. 

 As the elephants pass beneath him, the experienced hunter 



MANGROVE SEEDS. 



HIPPOPOTYMUS TRAP AND ELEPHANT 

 SPEAR. 



selects a bull elephant with good tusks, and, taking a careful 

 aim, drops the spear on its back. 



On receiving the stroke, the elephant rushes off in mixed 

 terror and rage. As the animal uses the legs of each side 

 alternately, it sways its huge body from side to side at every 

 step. With each movement, the spear also sways about, its 

 weighted end giving it such a leverage, that the sharp edges of 

 the head cut the poor animal to pieces. 



Another kind of Fall-trap, which is common in many parts 

 of Southern Africa, is not dependent upon the skill of the 

 hunter, but, like the "booby-trap" above mentioned, is set in 

 motion by the victim. 



