ELEPHANT. 
109 
from what I can learn, has never been seen to leave 
the woods ; some of the largest males often stray 
to a considerable distance, but the young ones al- 
ways remain in the forest, under the protection of 
the pcdmai , or leader of the herd, and of the larger 
elephants. The goondahs, or large males, come 
out singly, or in small parties, sometimes in the 
morning, but commonly in the evening, and they 
continue to feed all night upon the long grass that 
grows amidst the swamps and marshes, and of 
which they are extremely fond. As often how- 
ever as they have an opportunity, they commit 
depredations on the rice-fields, sugar-canes, and 
plantain-trees, that are near; which obliges the 
farmers to keep regular watch, under a small cover, 
erected on the top of a few long bamboos, about 
fourteen feet from the ground : and this precaution 
is necessary to protect them from the tigers, with 
which this province abounds. From this lofty sta- 
tion the alarm is soon communicated from one 
watchman to another, and from them to the neigh- 
bouring villages, by means of a rattle with which 
each is provided. With their shouts and cries the 
elephants are generally scared, and retire. It some- 
times however happens that the males advance even 
to the villages, overturn the houses, and kill those 
who unfortunately come in their way, unless they 
have had time to light a number of fires : this ele- 
ment seems to be the most dreaded by wild ele- 
phants ; and a few lighted wisps of straw or grass 
seldom fail to stop their progress. To secure one 
