398 
all into a mass, and, as with a hand, places it within his mouth. 
With it he sucks up a large draught of fluid, closes the com- 
munication with the nose, and then turns its spout-like extre- 
mity into the mouth, the anterior part of the latter being so 
shaped as accurately to receive the contents. 
‘¢ As the prehensile organs for food in other animals possess 
the sense of touch, whether they be lips or anterior extremi- 
ties, so the tapering end of this organ enjoys exquisite sensi- 
bility and delicate motor power. By its thumb-like appendix 
he can pick up the smallest substance from the ground, hold 
it, and turn it in every direction, to examine it with accuracy 
before he commits it to his mouth. He can also execute 
(especially in his captive state, when taught and encouraged 
by kindness) a variety of delicate manipulations with astonish- 
ing dexterity. 
‘«« This organ also enables him to remain in deep water, his 
whole body immersed and concealed from view, except the 
point of the proboscis, which appears just over the surface, 
and through which respiration is conducted, occasionally draw- 
ing in a little fluid, and then ejecting it with force, not unlike 
the ‘jet d’eau” from the blow-hole on the head of the ceta- 
cea. By it also, when on land, he can dash water, sand, and 
mud all over his body, so as to cool and refresh the surface, 
_and remove any source of irritation. Finally, by this instru- 
ment he can modify his voice, and increase its tone, so as to 
cause it to be heard at a distance of one or two miles, and, 
according to some, still more. Through it he can send forth 
trumpet sounds, loud, harsh, and discordant, but varying ac- 
cording as they are indicative of social or sexual feeling, or of 
terror, anger, or satisfaction.” * 
* Since the above went to press I have found, in the library of Trinity Col- 
lege, A. Moulin’s pamphlet on the dissection of an elephant, published in the 
form of a letter to Sir William Petty, Lond. 1682. He has correctly noticed 
the absence of pleurz or pulmonary serous membranes. The brain, in his 
specimen, which was older and larger than mine, weighed ten pounds (I pre- 
sume avoirdupois), or between thirteen and fourteen pounds Troy weight. 
