[18]

48

Ch: 4 — Marked Varieties

Indian Elephants.— Dr Falconer who has had great experience in Elephants, and who has seen as many as 1200 at a fair, informs me that they differ considerably, more than horses of the same kind breed, in size, general proportions, manner of carrying the head, form of tusks, shape of feet, and in the absence of the nail on one toe: Mr Corse has given a nearly similar account (Philosoph: Transacts: 1799, p: 206) and says that the different castes have their proper names. In the                , written about the year 1600, four kinds of elephants are specified. Most of these differences probably come under one class of merely individual difference; but both Dr Falconer and Mr Corse believe that some of the breeds inhabit different, and adjoining districts; and animals which are thought to be cross-bred are occasionally caught. As far as size is concerned, climate appears influential; at least, as I am informed by Mr C, elephants northward of a certain latitude are excluded by the government contracts. Dr Falconer tells me that there are two marked breeds, one thicker in its general proportions, more courageous, and with short tusks directed downwards; in the other breed the tusks are upturned, and the animal when attacked by a tiger tries to pitch his opponent into the air; whereas the breed with the down-

[19]

49

Ch: 4. Elephants — marked var:

ward directed tusks, when attacked, falls as if instinctively on its knees, and endeavours to crush and pin the tiger to the ground; this breed is consequently more dangerous to ride, as sometimes even experienced hunters are thrown on to the tiger. Now such differences in structure and habits, I think all zoologists, will agree, would in most cases be thought of specific value; but I believe no one has even suspected that there are two species in India. In Ceylon, there is, also, a distinct breed, but this has by some (Mr Hodgson in               of Bengal, Vol: I (1832) p: 345) been thought to form another species. Until quite lately the Elephant of Sumatra was thought to be the same, (Cr              Descriptive Dict. of Indian Islands, 1856, p. 136) but now from differences in its skeleton it is thought to be a distinct species.