Natural History of the Elephant. 45 
other with their trunks ; and this without ceremony, before a 
number of other elephants, as well as their attendants. 
Near the end of June, I was satisfied the male would not, 
even to regain his freedom, quit the object of his regard; I 
therefore ordered the keepers to picket the female, by one ol 
her fore-legs only, in the house where they stood, but to leave 
the male at full liberty. Fearful, however* of hurting their 
supposed delicacy, and thinking the nearness and sight of the 
attendants might possibly give umbrage to their modesty, I 
desired them to remain quiet in a little hut, erected on the out- 
side of the building appropriated to the elephants, where they 
could see equally well as if nearer. 
On the evening of the 28th of June, 1793, the male was let 
loose from his pickets ; and, soon after, he covered the female 
without any difficulty, although before this she never could 
have received the male, being taken when very young, about 
five years and a half prior to this period. The male was then 
led quietly to his stall ; but, early on the morning of the 29th, 
he became so troublesome, that the drivers, in order, as they 
said, to quiet him, but partly, I suspect, to indulge their own 
curiosity, permitted him to cover her a second time; which he 
readily did, before the usual attendants, as well as a number 
of other spectators. After this, the driver brought me a parti- 
cular account of the whole process. Though much pleased with 
the success of the experiment, yet I was rather chagrined he 
had not given me notice, that I might have been myself an eye 
witness ; and therefore told him, he should not receive the pro- 
mised reward, till I had satisfied myself of the fact. 
About two in the afternoon of the same day, I was desired to 
repair to the place where the elephants stood, as the male had 
