male elephant is from ten to a little over eleven feet in height, and
differs from the Asiatic species more particularly in the convex shape of
his forehead, and the enormous size of his ears. In Asia many of the
males, and all the females, are without tusks, but in Africa both sexes
are provided with these weapons. The enamel in the molar teeth is
arranged differently in the two species. By an admirable provision, new
teeth constantly come up at the part where in man the wisdom teeth
appear, and these push the others along, and out at the front end of the
jaws, thus keeping the molars sound by renewal, till the animal attains a
very great age. The tusks of animals from dry rocky countries are very
munch more dense and heavier than those from wet and marshy districts,
but the latter attain much the larger size.

The Shire marshes support prodigious numbers of many kinds of water-fowl.
An hour at the mast-head unfolds novel views of life in an African marsh.
Near the edge, and on the branches of some favourite tree, rest scores of
plotuses and cormorants, which stretch their snake-like necks, and in
mute amazement turn one eye and then another towards the approaching
monster. By and-by the timid ones begin to fly off, or take "headers"
into the stream; but a few of the bolder, or more composed, remain, only
taking the precaution to spread their wings ready for instant flight. The
pretty ardetta (_Herodias bubulcus_), of a light yellow colour when at
rest, but seemingly of a pure white when flying, takes wing, and sweeps
across the green grass in large numbers, often showing us where buffaloes
and elephants are, by perching on their backs. Flocks of ducks, of which
the kind called "Soriri" (_Dendrocygna personata_) is most abundant,
being night feeders, meditate quietly by the small lagoons, until
startled by the noise of the steam machinery. Pelicans glide over the
water, catching fish, while the Scopus (_Scopus umbretta_) and large
herons peer intently into pools. The large black and white spur-winged