27 chapters
8 hour read
Selected Chapters
27 chapters
PREFACE.
PREFACE.
The elephant is the true king of beasts, the largest and most powerful of existing land animals, and to young and old a never ceasing source of wonder and interest. In former geological ages, it roamed the continental areas of every zone; was found in nearly every section of North America, from the shores of the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, and from New England to California. Where the hum of great cities is now heard, in bygone days the trumpeting of the mastodon and elephant, and the cr
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER I. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ELEPHANT.
CHAPTER I. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ELEPHANT.
The elephant is the largest living land animal; and, though numerous forms existed in early geological times, it is represented to-day by two species only,—the African elephant, Elephas Africanus , and the Asiatic elephant, Elephas Indicus . The geographical range of the former originally included nearly all Africa, but now the animals are more closely confined to the central interior regions. The Asiatic elephant is found in the forests of India, Ceylon, Burmah, Siam, Cochin China, Sumatra, and
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER II. HABITS AND WAYS OF ELEPHANTS.
CHAPTER II. HABITS AND WAYS OF ELEPHANTS.
The most favorable locality to observe wild elephants in India is in Mysore, where the western ghats, the Billiga-rungun hills, and the Goondulpet and Kákankoté forests, afford fine opportunities to the naturalist and sportsman to observe the largest of living land animals in the haunts of its choice. It is here that the elephant-catcher of the British Government, Mr. George P. Sanderson, makes his headquarters, and has obtained such signal success for many years. Wild Asiatic elephants usually
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER III. THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE ELEPHANT.
CHAPTER III. THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE ELEPHANT.
In determining the intelligence of an animal, we naturally take ourselves as the type of mental excellence, and grade the lower animals as they approach us. Some would place the ant next to man, arguing that it more closely resembles him in its habits, customs, and methods of showing what we consider the result of intelligent action. It keeps domestic animals ( aphis ), goes to war in organized bodies, makes slaves of other insects, erects wonderful structures, is accredited with planting seeds,
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IV. THE MAMMOTH.
CHAPTER IV. THE MAMMOTH.
In one of the old Chinese histories, there is a description of a curious creature called tyn-schu , supposed to be a subterranean, rat-like animal. It lived, according to the old chroniclers, entirely beneath the ground; was as large as an ox; and had enormous tusks, with which it threw up the soil, or made its burrows; and the rumbling of earthquakes was attributed to them. This was naturally considered a fable by Europeans, but finally an English traveller was shown a piece of the tusk. He fou
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER V. THREE AND FOUR TUSKED ELEPHANTS.
CHAPTER V. THREE AND FOUR TUSKED ELEPHANTS.
Though to-day we look to Asia and Africa for elephants, and consider the huge proboscidians as extremely un-American, they originally roamed this country in vast herds, and were as common on our plains and prairies as are many animals of the present day. The mastodon, in the estimation of many naturalists, existed up to five hundred years ago; and, judging from the apparent freshness of the remains, there is no great objection to the belief. They were undoubtedly hunted by the ancestors of the m
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VI. JUMBO (See Plate VII.).
CHAPTER VI. JUMBO (See Plate VII.).
Many elephants have become famous in ancient and modern times,—some by their deeds in war (for their courage and daring), others for their domestic virtues and intelligence. But Jumbo, whose fame extended to all civilized nations, was noted for his great size, and for the hue and cry raised over his departure from their country by the English people; and it is safe to say that no animal ever rose to quite such a lofty pinnacle of popularity. Probably not a boy or girl who visited the huge animal
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VII. HOW ASIATIC ELEPHANTS ARE CAPTURED ALIVE.
CHAPTER VII. HOW ASIATIC ELEPHANTS ARE CAPTURED ALIVE.
Though the tusks of the Asiatic elephant are not large and valuable enough to make its capture for that purpose profitable, the live animal itself is greatly esteemed as a beast of burden, and as a show-animal in the pageants of the native princes, every petty court or rich man considering it necessary to his dignity to possess a number of the huge animals. To supply this demand, professional hunters are in the field during every season, using several different methods to entrap the great game.
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VIII. ASIATIC ELEPHANTS IN CAPTIVITY.
CHAPTER VIII. ASIATIC ELEPHANTS IN CAPTIVITY.
In the previous chapter we have seen how elephants were captured in the early times in India, and how modern methods have humanized the entire system of their seizure; and now we will glance at the huge captives in confinement. The Asiatic elephant is a marketable commodity, and is bought and sold like the horse in this country. After the government has selected those needed for its use, the rest are sold. Certain places have become famous for their sales. Stōnepoor, on the Ganges, is, perhaps,
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IX. HUNTING THE ASIATIC ELEPHANT.
CHAPTER IX. HUNTING THE ASIATIC ELEPHANT.
The lion and tiger share the time-honored term of king of beasts; their courage, intrepid natures, majestic bearing, and record for ferocity, having earned them the title, in the estimation of many. But, when compared to the elephant, these noble animals are mere pretenders. The elephant is the true king, the monarch of the land in size and strength, and capable, when thoroughly enraged, of toying with the tiger or lion. Rarely does an elephant fall a victim to either of these animals, and then
25 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER X. THE WHITE ELEPHANT.
CHAPTER X. THE WHITE ELEPHANT.
Mention of the white elephant is found in the very early histories of Oriental countries. In a work called the “Mahaw Anso,” the animal is described as forming a part of the retinue attached to the Temple of the Tooth at Anarájapoora in the fifth century after Christ; but it commanded no religious veneration, being merely considered as an emblem of royalty. White elephants were so valued in the sixteenth century, that the nations of Pegu and Siam waged a war for many years about one; and, before
27 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XI. ELEPHANTS IN CEYLON.[7]
CHAPTER XI. ELEPHANTS IN CEYLON.[7]
While the elephant of Ceylon does not differ specifically from its cousins of Continental India, there are certain facts of interest about it that would seem to warrant special attention. In 1847, according to Tennent, they were found over nearly the entire island, with the exception of a narrow but densely inhabited belt of cultivated land that extends along the seaboard from Chilaw on the Western coast to Tangalle on the south-east: this is, to some extent, true to-day, their great tracks bein
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XII. ROGUE ELEPHANTS.
CHAPTER XII. ROGUE ELEPHANTS.
The popular opinion concerning the elephant is, that it is treacherous, quick to avenge an insult, and possesses a specially retentive memory regarding injuries received. This is an exaggeration: when compared to other animals, the elephant excels in its good qualities. Vices are found only in exceptional cases; the average males being, as a rule, safe, and not susceptible to sudden changes of temper; while the females are particularly mild and gentle. Sanderson says, “Among hundreds that I have
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIII. HUNTING THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT.
CHAPTER XIII. HUNTING THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT.
From the huge size of its body and tusks, the African elephant affords, if any thing, a better opportunity of testing the skill and endurance of the hunter than its Asiatic ally. In former years, the great game was found from the Southern limit of Sahara to Cape Town; but so insatiate has been the greed for ivory, that it has been gradually driven from the more exposed tracts, and is now confined to the most unfrequented parts of the great continent; and as it is only with great difficulty and i
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIV. BABY ELEPHANTS.
CHAPTER XIV. BABY ELEPHANTS.
The adult elephant attracts attention because of its great size and massive proportions; but the baby elephant is sure of the undisguised admiration of the young folk, for an exactly opposite reason; and perhaps no animal excites quite so much interest among all classes. At least two Asiatic elephants claim America as their birthplace. The first one was born in Philadelphia in 1880, where, with its mother, it attracted great attention, people going from far and near to visit it. The second baby
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XV. TRICK ELEPHANTS.
CHAPTER XV. TRICK ELEPHANTS.
The readiness of the elephant to familiarize itself with various tricks has been recognized from very early times, and the list of accomplishments which these unwieldy creatures have acquired is a long and interesting one. To the circus of the present day, the elephant is invaluable. People tire of the old jokes of the clown, and of the time-worn bare-back riding, but the elephant possesses a peculiar fascination; and, the more it is observed, the more there is to admire. This was, I think, part
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVI. ELEPHANTS AND THEIR FRIENDS.
CHAPTER XVI. ELEPHANTS AND THEIR FRIENDS.
All animals have their favorites or friends,—it may be some attendant or some animal to which they have formed an attachment,—and the elephant is no exception to the rule. Most of the latter’s friends are made in confinement; but the wild animal has a number of little companions, which are of great value, at least, in adding to its comfort. These are birds; and chief among them is a beautiful crane, which is often seen—and, indeed, numbers of them—perched upon the back of the great animal, and r
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVII. TUSKERS AT WORK.
CHAPTER XVII. TUSKERS AT WORK.
We have seen how the elephant is trapped, glanced at it in confinement, and now come to the question of its actual value; in other words, how it is utilized by man. The simplest answer to this would be, that the elephant is a patient and faithful servant, quick to oblige, and, though not the most valuable of all animals as a helpmate to man, it certainly stands first in this respect in India. In the chapter on elephant intelligence, the traits of the great animal are dwelt upon; and it is its qu
29 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVIII. IVORY.
CHAPTER XVIII. IVORY.
One of the most valuable, and certainly the most beautiful, of animal products is the substance we call ivory, which composes the upper incisor teeth of elephants. From the very earliest times, it has been esteemed by man, and has gradually grown more valuable as years have gone by, until now the demand is so great that the extermination of the noble animals that produce it is threatened, merely that we may have knife-handles, billiard-balls, piano-keys, and many articles of luxury. The trade in
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIX. THE ELEPHANT IN THE ARTS.
CHAPTER XIX. THE ELEPHANT IN THE ARTS.
The elephant has figured prominently in the arts from the earliest times. The first artist in ivory was undoubtedly contemporaneous with the mammoth; as upon a piece of mammoth’s tusk, taken from a cave in France, there is a rude but quite correct representation of one of these huge animals: and the figure of the elephant seems to have been a favorite with the sculptors of all times. On the island of Elephanta, there are the remains of an ancient statue of an elephant. A fine cutting of an India
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XX. ELEPHANTS IN THE AMPHITHEATRE.
CHAPTER XX. ELEPHANTS IN THE AMPHITHEATRE.
As the elephant was used in the early days to add to the pomp and glory of the Roman conquerors, it is not surprising that they were also employed in the games and sports of the people. It was the custom in the days of old Rome, to match men against the most ferocious animals; and, long before the elephant was known in Italy, brave men met the lion, single-handed, in the arena. When the elephant was introduced, it was evident that the amphitheatre had new possibilities; and forthwith the huge an
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXI. THE ELEPHANT IN PAGEANTRY.
CHAPTER XXI. THE ELEPHANT IN PAGEANTRY.
In all the magnificent ceremonials and pageants of the Orient, the elephant forms a prominent feature: and even to-day we are delighted and amused with the impressive spectacle a herd presents as it marches in the procession of the circus; the dignified bearing of the animals, their measured tread, and large stature, all adding to the grandeur of the scene. That this was recognized in olden times, is well known; and, whenever a king desired to show his power and riches to the best advantage, the
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXII. WAR ELEPHANTS OF MODERN ASIA.
CHAPTER XXII. WAR ELEPHANTS OF MODERN ASIA.
During the recent war between England and Burmah, which resulted in the overthrow of King Theebaw, the elephant was frequently mentioned in despatches as being a valuable auxiliary to the troops when on the march; and that these noble animals constitute an important feature of many military posts in India, is, perhaps, not generally known. Such, however, is the case; and the service they perform when it is necessary to transport, troops, is invaluable. The elephant is not only attached to divisi
29 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIII. WAR ELEPHANTS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND HIS SUCCESSORS.
CHAPTER XXIII. WAR ELEPHANTS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND HIS SUCCESSORS.
The earliest mention of war elephants is made by Ctesias, where he describes Cyrus as making war against King Amoræus, who placed a large number of elephants in ambush, putting the horses of Cyrus to flight. Ælian quotes Ctesias as saying that the king of the Indians went to war with an army of ten thousand elephants, which was undoubtedly an exaggeration. In olden times, elephants seemed to be a necessity, and would-be conquerors were often put to some remarkable straits to procure them. Perhap
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIV. WAR ELEPHANTS OF THE ROMANS AND CARTHAGINIANS.
CHAPTER XXIV. WAR ELEPHANTS OF THE ROMANS AND CARTHAGINIANS.
The war elephant was a feature of the armies of the Orient many years before it was known in Italy. We have seen that the huge animal was especially effective in spreading terror among the opposing hosts, from its gigantic size and peculiar form: and nations that had never heard of, nor seen, an elephant, were so demoralized at the sight, that they often fled without giving battle; their horses and other animals, equally alarmed, completing the rout and confusion. The Romans were no exception to
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXV. PROBOSCIDIAN FICTIONS.
CHAPTER XXV. PROBOSCIDIAN FICTIONS.
In the history of nearly all animals, there will be found associated some curious fiction. In Burmah and Siam, the white elephant is supposed, by some, to be the abode of a transmigratory Buddha; and in India, certain elephants with a single right tusk are reverenced. In China, the tusks of the mammoth are used in medicine; and in some of the old works, the mammoth itself is described as a huge rat, which lives under the ground in burrows, formed by the tusks, or teeth. The origin of this fable
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
BIBLIOGRAPHY, Comprising a List of the Published Works relating to the Elephant.
BIBLIOGRAPHY, Comprising a List of the Published Works relating to the Elephant.
Note. —We regret that the material composing this Bibliography has come to us in such an imperfect state, some of the titles being too largely abridged. It is hoped, however, that it may prove useful to some who are desirous to read more on this interesting subject; and, also, it may remain suggestive of more complete work in the future. A.D. 433. The Mahawanso. 1650. Hist. des Eléphans. S. de Priezæ, Paris. 1673. Billing’s Voyages, p. 112. 1682. An Anatomical Account of the Elephant burnt at Du
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter