120 
THE ELEPHANT OF INDIA. 
they are still seen in large troops, Major Denham 
having counted forty-seven, and the natives re- 
ported herds even to two thousand.* 
• The imports of Elephants’ teeth, in 1831 and 1832, 
were, at an average, 4130 cwt., of which 2950 cwt. were 
retained for consumption. The medium weight of a tusk 
may be taken at about 60 lbs. ; so that the yearly imports 
of 1831 and 1832, may be taken at seven thousand seven 
hundred and nine tusks ; a fact which supposes the des- 
truction of at least three thousand eight hundred and fifty- 
four male Elephants ! But, supposing the tusks could only 
he obtained by killing the animal, the destruction would 
really be a good deal greater, and would most probably, 
indeed, amount to four thousand five hundred, or five 
thousand Elephants. Occasionally, however, tusks are 
accidentally broken, one lost in this way being replaced by 
a new one ; and a good many are also obtained from 
Elephants that have died in the natural way. Still it is 
sufficiently obvious, that the supply from the sources now 
alluded to cannot be very large ; and if to the quantity of 
ivory required for Great Britain, wc add that required for 
the other countries of Europe, America, and Asia, the 
slaughter of Elephants must, after every reasonable deduc- 
tion is made, appear immense ; and it may well excite 
surprise, that the breed of this noble animal has not been 
more diminished. The western and eastern coasts of 
Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon, India, and the 
countries to the eastward of the straits of Malacca, are the 
great marts whence supplies of ivory are derived. The 
imports from Western Africa into Great Britain, in 1831, 
amounted to 2575 cwt. ; the Cape only furnished 198 
cwt. The imports during the same year from India, 
Ceylon, and other eastern countries, were 2173 cwt. The 
Chinese market is principally supplied with ivory from 
Malacca, Siam, and Sumatra. 
The chief consumption of ivory in England, is in the 
