THE ASIATIC ELEPHANT. 



much shorter, the forclicad convex, and the cars of cnonnous magnitude, nearly 

 meeting on the Ijack of the liead, and hanging Avith their tips helow tlie neck. 



The Elephant, whether Asiatic or African, always lives in herds, varying greatly 

 in numbers, and being always found in the deepest forests, or in their near 

 vicinity. Both species are fond of water, and are never found at any great distance 

 from some stream or fountain, although they can and do make tolerably long 

 journeys for the purjjose of obtaining the needful sui)i)ly of liquid. They have a 

 curious capability of laying up a store of water in their interior, somewhat after 

 the fashion of the camel, but possess the strange accomplishment of drawing the 

 liquid supply from tlicir stomachs by means of their trunks, and scattering it in a 

 sliower over their backs in order to cool tlieir heated bodies. AVlien drinkhig, the 

 Elephant inserts the tip of liis truid< into the strcgm, tills its cavities with water, 

 and then, turning his trunk so as to get the extremity well into his throat, he 

 discharges its contents fairly into his stomach, where it may be heard to splash by 

 any one who is in near proximity to the animal. 



Tlie strangest ))orti()n of the Elephant's form is the trunk, or i)r()l)oscis. This 

 wonderful ajjpemhige is in fact a development of the upper lips and the nose, and 

 is perforated through its entire length by the nostrils, and is furnished at it^ 

 extremity with a kind of linger-like appendage, which enables the animal to pluck 

 a single Idade of grass, or to i)ick a minute object from the ground. The vahic 

 of the proboscis to the Elephant is incredible ; without its aid the creature would 

 soon starve. The short, thick neck would ])revent it from stooping to graze, while 

 the projecting tusks would eftectually hinder it from reaching any vegetid)les 

 which miglit 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, thii-st would in a very short 

 time end its existence. 



The Asiatic Elephant beai-s a world-wide fame for its capabilities as a servant 

 and companion of man, and for the extraordinary development of its intellectual 

 faculties. Hundreds of these animals are annually captm-ecl, and in a very short 

 period of time become wholly subjected to tlieir owners, and learn to obey their 

 commands with implicit submission. Indeed, the power of the human intellect is 

 never so conspicuous as in the supremacy which man maintains over so gigantic 

 and clever an animal as the Elephant. In all work which requires the application 

 of great strength, combined witli singular judgment, the Elephant is supreme; but 

 as a mere puller and hauler it is of no very great value. In piling logs, for 

 example, the Elephant soon learns the proper mode of arrangement, and will place 

 them upon each oilier witli a regularity tl.it would not be surpassed by human 

 workmen. Sir Emmerson Tenncut inentions a pair of Elephants that were 



227 Q 2 



