ELEPHANT HABITS I7I

to express dislike or apprehension, and at the same
time to intimidate, as when the cause of some alarm has
not been ascertained, and the animals wish to deter
an intruder. It is produced by rapping the end of
the trunk smartly on the ground, a current of air,
hitherto retained, being sharply emitted through the
trunk, as from a valve, at the moment of impact.
The sound made resembles that of a large sheet of
tin rapidly doubled. It has been erroneously ascribed
by some writers to the animals beating their sides
with their trunks.’

In captivity they are singularly docile, but the
pursuit of the wild elephant is a most dangerous
undertaking. ‘ The wild elephant’s attack,’ says Mr.
Sanderson, ‘is one of the noblest sights of the chase.
A grander animated object in full charge can hardly
be imagined. The cocked ears and broad forehead
present an immense frontage; the head is held high,
with the trunk curled between the tusks, to be un-
coiled in the moment of attack ; the massive fore-legs
come down with the force and regularity of ponderous
machinery ; and the whole figure is rapidly fore-
shortened, and appears to double in size with each
advancing stride. The trunk being curled and unable
toemit any sound, the attack is made in silence, after the
usual premonitory shriek, which adds to its impressive-
ness, A tiger’s charge is an undignified display of arms,
legs, and spluttering ; the bison rushes blunderingly
upon his foe; the bear’s attack is despicable ; but the
wild elephant’s onslaught is as dignified as it seems
overwhelming—and a large tusker’s charge, when he
has had sufficient distance to get into full swing, can