The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-20

! and that this qualification should give
| place To any other claim for precedence,
not only puts the greater fitness of indi-
viduals thus distinguished beyond ques-
| ton, but is, from the very fact OF such a
recognition, not 10 be doubted proof of
high intelligence among the species at
| large.
1t can scarcely be said, however, that
the fact of their habitually uncovering pit
falls is equally conclusive evidence of
active sympathetic feeling. The trunk is
naturally pendant-nearly touching the
ground. even with its extremity curled
and this organ possesses about fifty thou
sand sets of muscles, and q correspond
ingly profuse supply Of nerves with differ
ent functions.
So sensitive and mobile an appendage
cannot fail to make elephants acquainted
with almost everything lying in their way,
and considering their longer experience of
such dangers, how they manage to plunge
into these barbarOus traps with much
frequency, is certainly "a matter for sur
prise.
Nevertheless it can be in some measure
accounted for on the ground of certain
characteristic traits which have already
been mentioned. If we remember how
deficient the elephant is in any ability 10
teach himself, how incapable of seeing
more than one thing at a time, and, conse
quently how unlikely to think of any peril
which was not in some way obvious, our
establishment over these accidents will
considerably diminish.
In the sketch Immediately preceding
this it was said that those individuals
their dispositions and acts, which are
altogether devilish-the highest grade of
faculty this species has reached.
A rogue elephant is more completely
adjusted to circumst stances can see more,
think more, do more, than any other mem
Der of his class. Furthermore, and judg
Ing from this animals behavior, what it
thinks about and what it does, is murder
unprovoked, absolutely Improbable muir
der.
Here is something very different from
the homicidal deeds perpetrated by beasts
Of prey There is an Enthusiastically de
terminative motive for killing human
beings with these latter; but none at all in
case OF animals that do not eat flesh, and
have not been interfered with by men TO
any extent capable Of explaining the i'm
placable animosity which they exhibit
This is an anomaly in nature which has
never been accounted for. Writers have
merely chronicled the careers of famous
and deadly brutes, without attempting to
analyze them in any way. Certainly, that
is not easily done, and hopeless of accom-
plishment altogether, unless the subject
can be considered as a whole, and in the
light Of all those facts that tend towards
its elucidation.
Primarily, it is necessary to see an
average elephant as he. is--without any
false perspective. This creature is essen
tally wild beast; q being whose life and
that Of it's ancestors TO remotest genera
tons has known no Indictment higher
than the prOmptings of its own appetites
and passions. Such being must be
organicaIly incapable of moral virtue or
mental elevation; and to imagine an ele-
plants generosity, forbearance, and self
sacrifice, it's magnanimty, or innate sense
of rectitude, is about as reaSOnab bic as ii
one should supply it with wings.
Take as an illustration, the powerful
and universal instinct OF maternal love. q
tie which more than any other contributes
to the preservation Of races. Beyond
doubt this feeling is very imperfectly de-
veloped in the species under discussion.
1t is "A mere chance ii the mother seeing
her little ones fall into pit, does not Fly
from that dangerous locality; or, failing
this, potter about, feeding cOntentedly
while the calf starves; and this when
she might relieve its need with no more
trouble than throwing down a few branches
or lunches Of grass. II neither form of
Indifference be shown there is still an
other issue 10 such an event, equally com
mon with the former; namely, this cap
tive's dam may finally wander away as
carelessly as if there was no reason TO
remain there.
Should a stray calf cross her path, she
will probably adopt it at once i'm which
case both instantly forget the one her
lost offspring, The other its parent Fle-
plants resemble sheep in this particular;
and than these latter no creatures what
ever can be more incapable.
Many persons, however, perhaps most
people who have not made "A special study
Of this beast, are misied by the cOnven-
tional character that has been attributed
Ill
do much more harm than it generally
does. and, therefore, must be a kindly
creature, restrained from evil deeds through
natural good feeling. Such, apparently. is
the ordinary train OF thought and il would
hardly be possible TO think more incor-
rectiy.
Ii il common saying in the great ele-
plant stables of India and Indo- China
that every old tusker kills at least one
man. But vice is not a matter of sex
Samese and Burmese females of this
species have SO bad a reputation that
their attendants often get more pay than
those in charge OF male animals on ac-
count Of the greater danger they incur.
Looking at this group as "a whole-In-
dian and African species; males and fe-
males-the most general conclusion war
rantcd by facts is that, while cow eIe-
plants wherever found are frequently dan
gerous il is the rule for tuskers to become
vicious as they advance in years; there is
no record of a rogue who did not belong to
the male sex.
This goes far towards bridging the chasm
between an average vegeta bic eating ami
NAL that does not live by violence and
upon the whole is timid if not cowardly.
and monster Of like class whose wanton
ferocity resembles madness.
All rogueS are not mad, however al
though there is good reason to conclude
that some have been insane Any crea-
turc with "a brain and spinal cord is liable
to diease Of these organs, and certain nery-
Gus disorders will always involve insanity.
whether they occur insnlan or beasts
livery herd may contain possible rogue.
and to understand how this Malignant and
fatal being develops into its full proper
tons, we must acquaint ourselves before
hand with the organization OF such a COM
munty, the average character Of its mem
bers, and with those events which con
stantly take place among associations of
elephants.
They never reach "a higher point I'm
social evolution than the formation OF a
family. That is the only true and con-
slant unit in any aggregate; for when
masses break up, as they do continually,
only groups united by hnship remain to-
gether.
A tusker is the hend OF every family.
Not their Oldest or wisesl memEer or even
that one which has the greatest number of
direct descendants then present: but their
best fighter. He does rot defend his com
panions; very often he is incompetent to
lead therlor in fact, 10 DO anything ex-