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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XV. 



have in proportion to their bodies, for they are not larger 

 than the eves of an ordinary horse, from which one would 

 conclude that they are not so sharp-sighted as other beasts 

 in seeing things at a distance. And as regards their pace, 

 I shall state here that, although they are bulky and heavy 

 beasts, they have been found to go eight to nine miles in a 

 day, although such journeys have to be undertaken in the 

 morning and evening, when the heat of the sun can hinder 

 them least, for otherwise they would run the risk of being 

 overcome by the great heat of the sun. 13 Therefore, when 

 such beasts are taken from one place to another care should 

 be taken to note this, in order to avoid all inconvenience. 

 It is remarkable also that these elephants are more quick at 

 turning round towards the right than the left, so that those 

 who are pursued by these animals in the jungle should 

 take the opportunity of turning to the left to avoid danger 

 and get out of the scrape. 



And although one would think that elephants in conse- 

 quence of their heavy bodies would find difficulty in saving 

 themselves from drowning in deep water, the contrary is 

 the case. 14 But our observation tells us that when these 

 beasts are in a healthy state they can swim a quarter of a 

 mile in a strange and wonderful manner. 15 For, generally, 

 there is seen only a part of the trunk through which they 

 breathe and blow out the water, but sometimes the head is 

 above and the body hidden, and it cannot be said for 

 certainty whether they take in any water whilst swimming. 



And although an elephant is very strong and able to do 

 much injury, yet it is not savage by nature like many other 

 wild beasts, which can never or seldom be tamed or 

 governed, and always preserve their natural instincts. But 

 elephants, on the contrary (although caught full-grown), are 

 so tractable and obedient in a short time that they can be 

 quietly and easily led and managed as one likes, yea, it has 

 been fourd that these great beasts are so frightened and 

 tremble at hard words of abuse that they appear to wish it 

 understood that they are not used to them. And although 



