1891.] Recent Literature. 261 
ter he makes his readers fully familiar. We make the following 
extract, which narrates the behavior of this noble animal when engaged 
in hunting tigers: 
‘The foregoing chapter is sufficient to explain the ferocity of the 
male elephant at certain seasons which periodically affect the nervous 
system. It would be easy to multiply examples of this cerebral excite- 
ment, but such repetitions are unnecessary. The fact remains that the 
sexes differ materially in character, and that for general purposes the 
female is preferred in a domesticated state, although the male tusker is 
far more powerful, and when thoroughly trustworthy is capable of self- 
defence against attacks, and of energy in work, that would render it 
superior to the gentler but inferior female. 
“ It may be inferred that a grand specimen of a male elephant is of 
rare occurrence. A creature that combines perfection of form with a 
firm but amiable disposition, and is free from the timidity which un- 
fortunately distinguishes the race, may be quite invaluable to any resi- 
dent in India, The actual monetary value of an elephant must of 
necessity be impossible to decide, as it must depend upon the require- 
ments of the purchaser and the depth of his pocket. Elephants differ 
in price as much as horses, and the princes of India exhibit profuse 
liberality in paying large sums for animals that approach their standard 
of perfection. 
‘« The handsomest animal I have ever seen in India belongs to the 
Rajah of Nandgaon, in the district bordering upon Reipore. I saw 
this splendid specimen among twenty others at the durbar of the chief 
commissioner of the central provinces in December, 1887, and it 
completely eclipsed all others, both in size and perfection of points. 
The word points is inappropriate when applied to the distinguishing 
features of an elephant, as anything approaching the angular would be 
considered a blemish. An Indian elephant, to be perfect, should be 
should be majestic in general character, as large as possible,—especially 
broad across the forehead, and well rounded. The boss or prominence 
above the trunk should be solid and decided, mottled with flesh-colored 
spots ; these ought to continue upon the cheeks, and for about three 
feet down the trunk. This should be immensely massive, and when 
the elephant stands at ease the trunk ought to touch the ground when 
the tip is slightly curled. The skin of the face should be soft to the 
touch, and there must be no indentations or bony hollows, which are 
generally the sign of age. The ears should be large, the edges free 
from inequalities or rents, and above all they ought to be smooth, as 
