CHAP. XXV. 
THE ELEPHANT’S EYE. 
257 
be a small speck of dirt in the eye of man is in that 
of the elephant a tolerably-sized piece of wood, which 
naturally works itself into the cavity made apparently 
by nature to receive it; while smoke from any other 
wood would have about the same effect upon all wild 
animals. 
I can well understand how these pieces of wood 
came first to be discovered by the hunters, because 
near the same spot where they collect is situated also 
the s titbit,’ or delicate morsel (for eating purposes), of 
the elephant; it consists of a portion of fat and lean, 
which is between the eye and the hollow alluded to; 
and moreover to cut the ivory tusks from the head you 
have to cleave this very part. 
The flesh of the elephant is very coarse-grained, 
and peculiar in flavour, but the natives are nevertheless 
fond of it. Next to that peculiar portion near the 
eye, the foot is considered very good eating, and the 
hunters cook it as follows: a very large fire is made, 
and when well burned down to ashes and embers a 
hole is made in the centre, and the foot, with the skin 
on it, placed therein, the ashes and embers raked 
over it, and another large fire made on the top. Next 
morning before proceeding to 6 sport ’ an apparently 
large black cinder is discovered, poked out of the fire and 
beaten with a good-sized pole; the outside black of the 
skin flies off, and the foot is served up. With a sharp 
s 
