At the same time, the caution with which the elephant is supposed to approach insecure ground and places of doubtful[1] solidity, appears to me, so far as my own observation and experience extend, to be exaggerated, and the number of temporary bridges which are annually broken down by elephants in all parts of Ceylon, is sufficient to show that, although in captivity, and when familiar with such structures, the tame ones may, and doubtless do, exhibit all the wariness attributed to them; yet, in a state of liberty, and whilst unaccustomed to such artificial appliances, their instincts are not sufficient to ensure their safety.  Besides, the fact is adverted to elsewhere[2], that the chiefs of the Wanny, during the sovereignty of the Dutch, were accustomed to take in pitfalls the elephants which they rendered as tribute to government.

[Footnote 1:  “One of the strongest instincts which the elephant possesses, is this which impels him to experiment upon the solidity of every surface which he is required to cross.”—­Menageries, &c. “The Elephant,” vol. i. pp. 17, 19, 66.]

[Footnote 2:  WOLF’S Life and Adventures, p. 151.  See p. 115, note.]

A fact illustrative at once of the caution and the spirit of curiosity with which an elephant regards an unaccustomed object has been frequently mentioned to me by the officers engaged in opening roads through the forest.  On such occasions the wooden “tracing pegs” which they are obliged to drive into the ground to mark the levels taken during the day, will often be withdrawn by the elephants during the night, to such an extent as frequently to render it necessary to go over the work a second time, in order to replace them.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Private Letter from Dr. DAVY, author of An Account of the Interior of Ceylon.]

Colonel HARDY, formerly Deputy Quarter-Master-General in Ceylon, when proceeding, about the year 1820, to a military out-post in the south-east of the island, imprudently landed in an uninhabited part of the coast, intending to take a short cut through the forest, to his destination.  He not only miscalculated the distance, but, on the approach of nightfall, he was chased by a vicious rogue elephant.  The pursuer was nearly upon him, when, to gain time, he flung down a small dressing-case, which he happened to be carrying.  The device was successful; the elephant halted and minutely examined its contents, and thus gave the colonel time to effect his escape.[1]

[Footnote 1:  The Colombo Observer for March 1858, contains an offer of a reward of twenty-five guineas for the destruction of an elephant which infested the Rajawalle coffee plantation, in the vicinity of Kandy.  Its object seemed to be less the search for food, than the satisfying of its curiosity and the gratification of its passion for mischief.  Mr. TYTLER, the proprietor, states that it frequented the jungle near the estate, whence it was its custom to sally forth at night for the pleasure of pulling down buildings and trees, “and it seemed to have taken a spite at the pipes of the water-works, the pillars of which it several times broke down—­its latest fancy being to wrench off the taps.”  This elephant has since been shot.]