Utilisation of the African Elephant

I have just read some remarks in NATURE (vol. xix. p. 54) on the utilisation of the African elephant, which I think are worth considering. Judging from the specimens in the Regent's Park Gardens, which I suppose have not been selected in any way, and are therefore only average samples of the African species, I should say that the African elephant would prove hardier and capable of more work than the general run of Indian elephants. I was surprised to find that the two African elephants I saw in the Regent's Park were what the mahouts call "Dohara Band," which I would translate "double constitution." I do not think that more than five per cent, of Indian elephants are placed in this class. It is very rare indeed to see an elephant of this class in a Government Feelkanah, or in the hands of any European, because wealthy natives value them so highly and give such enormous prices for them, that even when caught by a Government keddah officer they are often sold on account of the fancy prices they fetch. The "Dohara Band" elephant will do a wonderful amount of work on a small quantity of food, and stands fatigue and exposure to the sun far better than any other sort.