A theory is described for the propagation of pulses in anisotropic elastic media. The pulse is initially defined by a harmonically modulated Gaussian envelope. As it propagates the pulse remains Gaussian, its spatial form characterized by a complex-valued envelope tensor. The center of the pulse follows the ray path defined by the initial velocity direction of the pulse. Relatively simple expressions are presented for the evolution of the amplitude and phase of the pulse in terms of the wave velocity, the phase slowness and unit displacement vectors. The spreading of the pulse is characterized by a spreading matrix. Explicit equations are given for this matrix in a transversely isotropic material. The rate of spreading can vary considerably, depending upon the direction of propagation. New reflected and transmitted pulses are created when a pulse strikes an interface of material discontinuity. Relations are given for the new envelope tensors in terms of the incident pulse parameters. The theory provides a convenient method to describe the evolution and change of shape of an ultrasonic pulse as it traverses a piecewise homogeneous solid. Numerical simulations are presented for pulses in a strongly anisotropic fiber reinforced composite.