. The game animals of Africa . ut down at from 10 feet 6 to 10 feet 9 some individuals may stand i i feet, but I doubt having everseen one i 2 feet high. Male elephants accompanying the herds of cows commonlyhave tusks of about 50 lb. each, while the average of those of otherbulls would be from 60 to 80 lb. Tusks of the latter weight wouldprobably measure about 6 feet in length, of which one-third wouldbe in the head and two-thirds protruding; while they would be IN EAST AFRICA 19 about 18 inches or so in greatest basal girth. Much larger tusksare, however, known, some of which
. The game animals of Africa . ut down at from 10 feet 6 to 10 feet 9 some individuals may stand i i feet, but I doubt having everseen one i 2 feet high. Male elephants accompanying the herds of cows commonlyhave tusks of about 50 lb. each, while the average of those of otherbulls would be from 60 to 80 lb. Tusks of the latter weight wouldprobably measure about 6 feet in length, of which one-third wouldbe in the head and two-thirds protruding; while they would be IN EAST AFRICA 19 about 18 inches or so in greatest basal girth. Much larger tusksare, however, known, some of which are referred to in an earlierparagraph. Cow-tusks commonly weigh from 12 to 24 lb. each,although in an exceptionally fine pair the weight was ^6 lb. EastAfrican ivory is of the best quality, being what is called in the trade soft ivory, which fetches a higher price than the hard ivory fromthe west coast. Even in soft ivory there is, however, great variety inquality, and a corresponding range in value ; kalasha, or cow-tusks \. Fic. 8.—Elephants photographed by Lord Delamere on the lower slopes of Mount Marsabil,in the Rendili district, to the of Lake Rudolf. of from about 12 lb. to 16 lb., being the most valuable, on accountof its suitability for billiard-balls. In this part of the country the tusks are sometimes used fordigging up roots, by which a piece may be broken off the end ; butwhen both are entire, one, generally the right, is almost always moreworn than its fellow. Tuskless elephants are almost unknown in this part of Africa,and I myself have never seen one. Individuals with only one tuskare, however, occasionally found ; but I believe the tradition that asingle tusk is generally of abnormal size to be without foundation. 20 AFRICAN ELEPHANT Owing to the nature of the country they frequent, the pursuitof elephants is a somewhat dangerous sport. Great skill in marksman-ship is not the quality most needed in elephant-shooting ; endurance,litheness, aptitude for
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