The enamel of the teeth presents still another proof of these animals being different in species.
Nor are all Asiatic elephants alike.

In this species there are varieties which present very distinct features; and, indeed, these "varieties," as they are called, appear to differ from each other, nearly as much as any one of them does from the African kind.
One variety known among Orientals by the name of "mooknah," has straight tusks that _point downward_, whereas the usual habit of these singular appendages is to _curve upward_.
Asiatics recognise two main _castes_, or perhaps species, among their elephants.

One known as "coomareah," is a deep-bodied, compact, and strong animal, with large trunk and short legs.

The other called "merghee," is a taller kind, but neither so compact nor strong as the coomareah, nor has he so large a trunk.

His long legs enable him to travel faster than the coomareah; but the latter having a larger trunk (a point of beauty among elephant-owners) and being capable of enduring more fatigue, is the favourite, and fetches a larger price in the Oriental market.
Occasionally a _white_ elephant is met with.