HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS'. 167 



tenfive region, as they are more numerous that in any- 

 other part of the world, fo are they lefs fearful of man. 

 The favage inhabitants of this dreary country, inftead of 

 attempting to fubdue this powerful animal, and render it 

 fubfervient to their neceffities, fcem defirous only of a- 

 voiding its fury. 



Sparrman fays, that in the country near the Cape they 

 are fometimes feen in large herds, confining of many 

 hundreds ; and thinks it probable, that in the more re- 

 mote and unfrequented parts of that vail country they 

 are ftill more numerous. 



They are frequently hunted by the colonifts at the 

 Cape, who are very expert in mooting them, and make 

 great advantage of their teeth. The largeit teeth weigh 

 an hundred and fifty Dutch pounds, and are fold to the 

 governor for as many guilders ; fo that a man may earn 

 three hundred guilders at one Ihot. It is not therefore 

 to be wondered at, that a traffic fo lucrative mould tempt 

 the hunter to run great rilks. In approaching this ani- 

 mal, great care mud be taken to fteai upon him unper- 

 ceived. If the Elephant difcover his enemy near, he 

 rufhes out, and endeavours to kill him. One of thefe 

 hunters being out upon a plain, under the ihelter of a 

 few fcattered thorn trees, thought he could be able to 

 advance near enough to moot an Elephant that was at a 

 little diftance from him ; but he was difcovered, purfued, 

 and overtaken by the animal, which laid hold of him 

 with his trunk, and beat him inftantly to death. 



The height of the Elephant at the Cape is from twelve 

 to fifteen feet. The female is lefs than the male, and 

 her tufks do not grow to fuch a fize. 



In proportion to the fize of the Elephant, his eyes are 

 L 4 



