II 
THE ELEPHANT 
47 
forward their ears, exhibiting a restlessness of spirit 
that is a sufficient warning to any stranger. Such 
elephants should always be approached with caution, 
and never directly in front, but at the side. 
An elephant is frequently treacherous, and if the 
person should stand unheedingly before it, a sud¬ 
den slap with the trunk might be the consequence. 
For the same reason, it would be dangerous to 
approach the heels of such an animal, as a kick from 
an elephant is rather an extensive movement, and it 
is extraordinary that so colossal a limb as the hind 
leg can be projected with such velocity, equalling 
that of a small pony. 
Discussions have frequently arisen concerning the 
maximum speed of an elephant; this is difficult to 
decide exactly, as there can be no question that the 
animal in a wild state will exert a greater speed than 
can be obtained from it when domesticated. The 
African variety is decidedly faster than the Asiatic ; 
the legs being longer, the stride is in proportion; and 
as the habits of the African lead it to wander over 
large tracts of open country instead of confining its 
rambles to secluded forests, this peculiarity would 
naturally render the animal more active, and tend to 
accelerate its movements. I consider that the Afri¬ 
can elephant is capable of a speed of fifteen miles an 
hour, which it could keep up for two or three hundred 
yards, after which it would travel at about ten miles 
an hour, and actually accomplish the distance within 
that period. The Asiatic elephant might likewise 
attain a speed of fifteen miles for perhaps a couple 
