II 
THE ELEPHANT 
51 
much-loved fruit, similar in appearance to good-sized 
dates, and equally sweet and aromatic (Balanites 
Egyptiaca), Elephants will travel great distances 
to arrive at a forest where such fruit is produced in 
quantity, and they appear to know the season when 
the crop will be thoroughly ripe. Upon this occa¬ 
sion, the elephant, having picked up the single fruits 
which lay scattered upon the ground, presently 
looked up, and being satisfied with the appearance 
of the higher boughs, he determined to shake down 
a plentiful supply. Retiring for a few feet, he de¬ 
liberately rammed his forehead against the stem, with 
such force as to shake the tree from top to bottom, 
causing a most successful shower of the coveted 
fruit, which he immediately commenced to eat. 
Commander R. N. J. Baker was my companion, 
and we agreed that any person who might have 
taken refuge in the branches of that large tree must 
have held on exceedingly tight to have avoided a 
fall, so severe was the concussion. 
When it is considered that a large bull elephant 
weighs between six and seven tons, which weight is 
set in movement by the muscular exertion of the 
animal, there is at once an explanation of the force 
against a tree, which, although large, would hardly 
exceed that weight. 
The memory of elephants must be peculiarly keen, 
as they remember the seasons for visiting certain 
districts where some particular food is produced in 
attractive quantities. In the southern district of 
Ceylon, between Yalle river and the sea-coast, there 
