THE BOOK OF 

 THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



CHAPTER I 



ANIMAL GIANTS 



AFRICAN AND INDIAN ELEPHANTS.— In a survey of the 

 animal kingdom mapped out according to the sections herein 

 included it is particularly appropriate that pride of place should be 

 accorded to the Elephant, that huge beast — the largest living animal 

 of the world — of whom Pliny wrote, "We find in him qualities which 

 are rare enough amongst men — honesty, prudence, equity." This, 

 to say the least, is bestowing upon the Elephant lavish, but by no 

 means ill-deserved, praise, for all those who have been brought 

 into contact with the huge beast under review are aware of how, 

 when it is kindly treated, it evinces considerable powers of intelli- 

 gence, will obey orders, show much regard for its owner or keeper, 

 and maintain in many ways the reputation which Pliny accorded 

 to it. 



It is not intended in this popular book devoted to a representative 

 selection of the world's mammals, to introduce any long and dry 

 scientific words, but it will be as well to point out here that the 

 Ungulata, or hoofed animals, are split up by scientists into several 

 sub-orders, to one of which, the Proboscidea, or proboscis bearers, 

 the Elephant belongs. 



Acquaintance will be made with many other representatives of 

 this important order Ungulata as our study progresses, and for the 

 present, therefore, it is sufficient to indicate the place occupied by 

 the Elephant in the scale of animal life. 



