these, especially through the _saul_ forests, these huge animals roam
about in herds, each herd being under the guidance or leadership of an
old male, or "bull," as he is termed. As an elephant brings a
considerable sum of money, even in India, these are eagerly hunted; and
their capture is accomplished by decoying them into a pound or enclosure
constructed for the purpose, where ropes are attached to them, and then
tied to the neighbouring trees. The decoy used is a tame elephant, that
has been already trained for the purpose.

There are in India, as well as in Africa, certain old bull elephants
that lead a solitary life, and that are scarcely ever seen in company
with the herds. These bachelors are usually of a morose and fierce
disposition, and when one of them is captured it requires all the skill
of the hunters to keep clear of danger. These wild bulls are larger and
stronger than the common kind, and so untamable in their ferocity that
even when captured no use can be made of them, since they will die
rather than submit to being trained. They are called Goondahs by the
people of Hindostau, and by English hunters Rogues or Rovers.

The African elephant next merits attention. There is no difficulty in
distinguishing this species from any of the Indian varieties. The
immensely large ears constitute a marked characteristic of the former,
which at once becomes recognisable. Other points of difference are the
greater convexity of the forehead or skull and the larger size of the
tusks; though this last point of distinction is not always to be
depended upon, since there are Indian elephants with tusks of similar
dimensions. Generally, however, the African elephants have the largest
"ivories."

In point of bulk the Asiatic species has been considered superior; but
this belief may not be correct. Certain circumstances should be taken
into account. The Asiatic elephant is living in a domesticated state,
and this may have produced a greater size, as it does in the case of
most other quadrupeds. Another circumstance: the African elephants of
our collections have been mostly obtained from the Cape, or the regions
contiguous to it. But it is now known that in the countries nearer to
the equator there exists a much larger kind, that appears to be quite as
bulky as any of the Asiatic varieties.

The height of the elephant has been much exaggerated by travellers--some
having been described as measuring eighteen feet