S3 
Natural History of the Elephant. 
force to effect his purpose, and held her so firmly, that the 
marks of the nails of his fore-feet were deeply imprinted on 
her shoulders. 
Having mentioned a sufficient number of instances, to prove 
the ability, as well as the inclination of the elephant, to propa- 
gate his species in a domestic state, and that without any signs 
of modesty, and having ascertained the period of gestation to 
be twenty months and eighteen days, it may be necessary to 
observe, that it is a difficult matter to bring a male, which has 
been taken about the prime of life, into good condition to act 
as a stallion ; for, being naturally bolder, and of a more ungo- 
vernable disposition, than the female, he is not in general 
easily tamed, till reduced very low ; and it requires consi- 
derable time, as well as much expence and attention, before he 
can be brought into such high order as is requisite. He must 
also be of a gentle temper, and disposed to put confidence in 
his keeper; for he will not readily have connexion with a 
female, whilst under the influence of fear or distrust. Of this I 
have seen many instances; nor do I recollect one male elephant 
in ten, which had been taken after having attained his full 
growth, much disposed to have connexion with a female. This 
is a most convincing proof, that those males which are taken 
early in life, and have been domesticated for many years, more 
readily procreate their species than elephants taken at a later 
period. In their wild state, however, they show no reluctance ; 
for, besides all the males that are entrapped, from their desire to 
have connexion with the trained females which, though not 
in heat, are carried out to seduce them, several instances 
have occurred, of wild elephants covering, immediately after 
being taken, in the keddah. 
