EL E 
ment of a frefh fupply. Among all thofe numerous 
bands, there is not an individual which has not 
been originally wild, nor one which has not been 
brought into a ftate of fubje£lion. Men them- 
felves are often glad to propagate a race of flaves 
'Mvho defcend in this wretched ftate through luccef- 
iive generations ; but the Elephant, when under 
fubjedion, is invariably fterile: a circumftance 
which may probably originate from phyfical caufes 
as yet utterly unknown. In the mean time, the 
princes of India, having long vainly endeavoured 
to multiply the breed, have at laft contented them- 
felves with feparating the males from the females, 
in order to prevent thofe accefles of defire whicli 
debilitate without multiplying the kind. 
In order to catch Elephants wild in the woods, 
a fpot of ground is fele<5led, and furrounded by a 
ftrong pallifade conftru6led with the thickeft and 
ftrongeft trees, and ftrengthened by tranlVerfe bars, 
which impart a confiderable degree of firmnefs to 
the whole. The pofts are fixed at fuch conve- 
nient diftances from each other, that a fingle per- 
fon cannot readily pafs between them; only one 
great paffage being left open, through which an 
Elephant may eafily enter, and fo contrived as to 
fliut of itfelf whenever the creature has got within 
the inclofure. In order to allure the animal into 
this toil, it is prt-vioufly neceffary to difcover his 
retreat in the woods : this being efFecfted, a tame 
female is conduced near the place, who utters the 
voice of defire, as inftrufted by her keeper; which 
the male inftantly anfwers, and haftens to join her. 
On this the keeper obliges the female Elephant to 
retreat, ftill repeating the fame cry, till fhe has al- 
lured the male into the inclofure; the door of 
which, as before obferved, fliuts fpontaneoufly the 
moment he has entered. Still, however, the female 
advances, iterating her call ; while the male pur- 
fues her through the inclofure, which gradually 
becomes narrower, till the unfortunate animal finds 
himfelf compleatly hemmed in, without the power 
of either advancing or retreating: the female, in the 
mean time, being liberated through a private door 
to which fhe has been accuftomed. The male 
Elephant, perceiving himfelf thus entrapped, en- 
deavours to effe£l his efcape ; and, on the approach 
of the hunters, all his former defires ieem converted 
into rage: his enemies, however, find means to 
bind him with cords; and afterwards attempt 
to foften his indignation, by throwing water on him 
in great quantities, rubbing his body with leaves, 
and pouring oil into his ears. Soon afterwards 
two tame Elephants are introduced ; a male and 
a female; who carefs the indignant animal with 
their trunks, while more water is thrown on him, 
as well to pacify as refrefh him. At laft a tame 
animal, felefted from among thofe whofe employ- 
ment is to inftru6b frefh captives, is brought for- 
' ward, and on whom an officer is mounted, for the 
purpofe of infpiring the prifoner with confidence. 
The hunters then open the inclofure ; and, while 
this creature leads the captive along, two more 
Elephants are planted on each fide, who foon 
compel him to fubmit. He is then tied with 
cords to a mafty pillar eredled for that purpofe, and 
fuffered to remain in that fituation one whole day 
and night. The day following he begins to be 
fomewhat fubmilTive ; and, by unwearied afliduity, 
in the fpace of a fortnight he becomes as tradlable 
as any of his companions. 
The females are generally taken when following 
the males into thefe inclofures; and, very fhortly 
after, are employed as decoys to others. 
ELE 
There are various other modes of catching 
Elephants, differing according to the abilities of 
the hunters. The negroes of Africa, who hunt 
them merely for their flefh and tuflcs, fometimes 
take them in pit-falls ; and, at others, purfue 
them through the defiles of mountains, where 
they cannot eafily turn themfelves; and thus 
wound them, from behind till they fink through lofs 
of blood. 
The Elephant, when tamed, is the moft gentle 
and obedient of all animals. It foon difcovers an 
attachment to it's keeper, careffes him, obeys him, 
and fecms to anticipate his defires: it even com- 
prehends the different tones of his voice, fo as per- 
fectly to diftinguifh between thofe of command, 
anger, and approbation. All it's motions are re- 
gulated; and it's aftions, which feem to corre- 
fpond v.'ith it's magnitude, are grave and majeftic. 
It is quickly taught to kneel, in order to receive 
it's rider; it fondles thofe with whom it is ac- 
quainted; falutes fuch as it is ordered to diftin- 
guifli ; and with it's trunk, as with a iiand, alTifts in 
taking up a part of it's load: it fuffers itielf to be 
arrayed in harnefs,feemingly exulting in the finenefs 
of it's trappings; it drav/s either chariots, cannon^ 
or fliipping, with furprizing ftrength and perfe- 
verance, and even with apparent fatisfaftion, while 
it is not beat without a caufe, and it's mafter feems 
to applaud it's exertions. 
The conducftor of the Elephant, who is ufually 
mounted on it's neclc, guides it with an iron rod, 
fometimes pointed, and at others bent like a hook; 
with this inftrument it is fpurred forwards when 
either flothful or difobedient; but, in general, a 
fingle word is fufficient to put the gentle creature 
in motion after it is once acquainted with it's leader: 
and, indeed, this acquaintance is often abfolutely 
neceffary; for the Elephant frequently conceives 
fuch an affedfion for it's keeper, that it refufes to 
obey the commands of any other perfon; and we 
are told that many of thefe animals have even died 
with grief, after having, in fome fudden fit of 
phrenzy, deftroytd their owners. It has alfo 
been afferted, that one of them, which had 
been trained to draw the cannon of the French 
forces in India, was taught to expedl a certain re- 
ward from it's conductor on the accomplifhment 
of fome arduous and dangerous fervice; but that, 
being once difappointed in it's expectations, the en- 
raged animal flew him: when his wife, who had 
been a fpeftator of the horrid fcene, probably in- 
ftigated either by madnefs or defpair, immediately 
threv/ her two little fons at the creature's feet; cry- 
ing out that, fince it had killed her hufband, it 
might alfo kill the infants. The Elephant, ob- 
ferving the babes in that fituation, feenned to make 
a fudden paufe; and, moderating it's fury, lifted up 
the eldefl of them with it's trunk; and, placing 
him on it's neck, thus adopted him for it's con- 
ductor, and ever after obeyed him with the moft 
fcrupulous punftuaHty. 
Nor are Elephants ferviceable only in the mili- 
tary art, and in drawing or carrying burdens; they 
are frequently introduced into the ranks, and com- 
pelled to fight in the moft dangerous fituations. 
Formerly, indeed, they were much more ufed in 
India than at prefent. About two centuries ago, 
the chief dependence of generals was placed on 
the number and experience of thefe animals ; but 
fince the greateft part of mankind have adopted 
the ufe of more fatal though lefs formidable inftioi- 
ments of war, Elephants are very little ufed. The 
princes of India ftill keep a few of them, either 
through 
