262 The American Naturalist. [March, 
though they had been carefully ironed. When an elephant is old the 
top of the ear curls, and this symptom increases with advancing years, 
The eyes should be large and clear, the favorite color a bright hazel. 
The tusks ought to be as thick as possible, free from cracks, gracefully ` 
curved very slightly to the right and left, and projecting not less than 
three feet from the lips. The body should be well rounded, without a 
sign of any rib, The shoulders must be massive, with projecting mus- 
cular development; the back very slightly arched, and not “sloping 
too suddenly towards the tail, which should be set up tolerably high. 
This ought to be thick and long, the end well furnished with a double 
fringe of very long, thick hairs, or whalebone-looking bristles. The 
legs should be short in proportion to the height of the animal, but im- 
mensely thick, and the upper portion above the knee ought to exhibit 
enormous muscle. The knees should be well rounded, and the feet be 
exactly equal to half the perpendicular height of the elephant when 
measured upon them whilst standing, The skin generally ought to be 
soft and pliable, by no means tight or strained, but lying easily upon 
the limbs and body. An elephant which possesses this physical 
development should be equal in the points of character that are neces- 
sary to a highly trained animal. 
‘When ordered to kneel, it should obey instantly, and remain 
patiently upon the ground until permitted to rise from this uneasy 
posture. In reality the elephant does not actually kneel upon its fore 
knees, but only upon those of its hind legs, while it pushes its fore legs 
forward and rests its tusks upon the ground. This is a most unnatural 
position, and is exceedingly irksome. Some elephants are very impa- 
tient, and they will rise suddenly without orders while the ladder is 
placed against their side for mounting. Upon one occasion a badly 
trained animal jumped up so suddenly that Lady Baker, who had 
already mounted, was thrown off on one side, while I, who was just on 
top of the ladder, was thrown down violently upon the other. A 
badly tutored elephant is exceedingly dangerous, as such vagaries are 
upon so large a scale that a fall is serious, especially should the ground 
be stony. 
‘« A calm and placid nature, free from all timidity, is essential. Ele- 
phants are apt to take sudden fright at peculiar sounds and sights. In 
traveling through a jungle path it is impossible to foretell what animals 
may be encountered on the route. Some elephants will turn suddenly 
round and bolt, upon the unexpected crash of a wild animal startled 
in the forest. The scent, or still worse the roar, of a bear within 
fifty yards of the road will scare some elephants to an extent that will 
