INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 3O9 
off in this manner. Indeed it is difficult otherwise to account 
for such a large proportion of broken ivory, as is daily offered 
for sale, at the different factories ; for when the elephant is killed 
in hunting, unless he dashes himself over a precipice, the teeth 
are always extracted entire. 
There are certain seasons of the year when the elephants col- 
lect into large herds, and traverse the country in quest of food 
or water ; and as all that part of the country to the north of 
the Niger, is destitute of rivers, whenever the pools in the 
woods are dried up, the elephants approach towards the banks 
of that river. Here, they continue until the commencement of 
the rainy season, in the months of June or July ; and during this 
time they are much hunted by such of the Bambarrans as have 
gunpowder to spare. Theelephant hunters seldom go out singly : 
a party of four or five join together ; and having each furnished 
himself with powder and ball, and a quantity of corn-meal in 
a leather bag, sufficient for five or six days' provision, they en- 
ter the most unfrequented parts of the wood, and examine with 
great care every thing that can lead to the discovery of the 
elephants. In this pursuit, notwithstanding the bulk of the 
animal, very great nicety of observation is required. The broken 
branches, the scattered dung of the animal, and the marks of his 
feet, are carefully inspected ; and many of the hunters have, by 
long experience and attentive observation, become so expert in 
their search, that as soon as they observe the footmarks of an 
elephant, they will tell almost to a certainty at what time it 
passed, and at what distance it will be found. 
When they discover a herd of elephants, they follow them at 
