598 STRUCTURE OF THE ELEPHANT. 



tables which might grow at the level of its mouth. And as it would be unable to draw 

 water into its mouth without the use of the trunk, thirst would in a very short time end its 

 existence. 



As the trunk is required for so many purposes, it must needs be capable of extension, 

 contraction, and of flexibility in every direction, as well as possessed of enormous strength. 

 In order to effect these conditions, the trunk is composed of no less than fifty thousand 

 distinct muscles, some of which run longitudinally along the axis of the proboscis, and 

 others radiate from the centre to the circumference. When the trunk is at rest, its surface 

 is covered with a series of thick, transverse wrinkles or corrugations, which become less 

 distinct as this appendage is gradually stretched, and vanish entirely when it is extended 

 to its full length. The little finger-like appendage at its tip is slightly different in shape in 

 the two sexes. 



In order to support the enormous weight of the teeth, tusks, and proboscis, the head is 

 required to be of very large dimensions, so as to afford support for the powerful muscles and 

 tendons which are requisite for such a task. It is also needful that lightness should be com- 

 bined with magnitude, and this double condition is very beautifully fulfilled. The skull of 

 the Elephant, instead of being a mere bony shell round the brain, is enormously enlarged by 

 the separation of its bony plates, the intervening space being filled with a vast number of 

 honeycomb-like bony cells, their walls being hardly thicker than strong paper, and their hol- 

 lows filled during the life of the animal with a kind of semi-liquid fat or oil. The brain lies in 

 a comparatively small cavity within this cellular structure, and is therefore defended from the 

 severe concussions which it would otherwise experience from the frequency with which the 

 animal employs its head as a battering-ram. It is easy to understand the difficulty of killing 

 an Elephant by aiming at the head, for unless the shot be directed towards one of the apertures 

 which lead to the brain, such as the eye, the ear, or the nostril, the bullet only enters the mass 

 of bony cells, and does comparatively little damage. It is worthy of observation, that as the 

 skull of the Asiatic and African Elephant is different in shape, a bullet which will destroy one 

 animal might have little effect on the other. 



In order to support the enormous weight which rests upon them, the legs are very stout, 

 and are set perpendicularly, without that bend in the hinder leg which is found in most ani- 

 mals. There is no elongated cannon-bone in the Elephant, so that the hind-legs are without 

 the so-called knee-joint. This structure, however, is of infinite use to the animal when it climbs 

 or descends steep acclivities, a feat which it can perform with marvellous ease. It may seem 

 strange, but it is nevertheless true, that localities which would be totally inaccessible to a 

 horse are traversed by the Elephant with perfect ease. 



In descending from a height, the animal performs a very curious series of mano3uvres. 

 Kneeling down, with its fore-feet stretched out in front, and its hinder legs bent backward, as 

 is their wont, the Elephant hitches one of its fore-feet upon some projection or in some crevice, 

 and bearing firmly upon this support, lowers itself for a short distance. It then advances the 

 other foot, secures it in like manner, and slides still farther, never losing its hold of one place 

 of vantage until another is gained. Should no suitable projection be found, the Elephant 

 scrapes a hole in the ground with its advanced foot, and makes use of this artificial depression 

 in its descent. If the declivity be very steep, the animal will not descend in a direct line, but 

 makes an oblique track along the face of the hill. Although the description of this curious 

 process occupies some time, the actual feat is performed with extreme rapidity. 



Though the foot of an Elephant is extremely large, it is most admirably formed for the 

 purpose which it is destined to fulfil, and does not, as might be supposed, fall heavily upon 

 the ground. The hoof that incloses the foot is composed of a vast number of horny plates 

 that are arranged on the principle of the common carriage-spring, and seem to guard the 

 animal from the jarring shock of the heavy limb upon the soil. Those who for the first time 

 witness the walk or the run of the Elephant, are always surprised at the silent ease of the 

 creature's free, sweeping step. As there is no short ligament in the head of the thigh-bone, 

 the hind-foot is swung forward at each step, clearing the ground easily, but being scarcely 

 raised above the surface of the earth. 



