2^2 GREAT ELEPHANT. 
into two casts, viz. the Koomareah, and the 
Merghee. The first consists of the large or full- 
bodied kind ; the second of the more slender, with 
longer legs and thinner trunk in proportion ; it is 
also a taller animal, but not so strong as the for- 
mer. A large trunk is always considered as a 
great beauty in an Elephant, so that the Kooma- 
reah is preferred not only on this account, but for 
his superior strength in carrying burthens, &c. 
Many indistinct varieties are again produced from 
the intermixture of these two breeds. The torrid 
zone seems to be the natural clime of the Elephant, 
and the most favourable for the production of 
the largest and hardiest race ; and when this ani- 
mal migrates beyond the tropics, the species de- 
generates. On the coasts of Malabar, Elephants 
are taken as far north as the territories of Coorgah 
Eajah; but these, according to Mr. Corse, are 
much inferior to the Ceylonese Elephant. 
Mr. Corse's observations on the teeth of the 
Elephant, and the gradual progress of dentition, 
are extremely curious. The principal particulars 
are the follo^\qng : 
" The tusks in some female Elephants are so 
small as not to appear beyond the lip, whilst in 
others they are almost as large and long as in one 
variety of the male, called Mooknah. The grind- 
ers are so much alike in both sexes, that one de- 
scription may serve for both. The largest tusks, 
and frgm which the best ivory is supplied, are 
taken from that kind of male Elephant, called 
Dauntelah, from this circumstance, in opposition 
