74 THE ELEPHANT. 



The extremes of cold and heat, seem equally to affect these 

 animals : to avoid the latter, they seek the thickest shade, or re- 

 tire to large rivers, in which they bathe, and sometimes amuse 

 themselves, for several hours together, with swimming. 



Though the elephant is so wonderfully aided by his trunk, in 

 such a variety of operations, yet, with respect to the rest of his 

 conformation, he is clumsy and unwieldy ; he goes forward, how- 

 ever, with ease and celerity, and in walking or running, is equal 

 in speed to the generality of horses ; but he turns with difficulty, 

 and not without taking a pretty large circuit. His neck is so 

 short, that he can scarcely turn his head, and must wheel round 

 in order to survey an enemy in the rear ; and his legs are so stiff, 

 as scarcely to bend when he is advanced in years, so that when 

 that period arrives, he is obliged to repose himself standing. 



These quadrupeds subsist wholly on vegetables, and appear to 

 have an antipathy against animal food. They associate in nu- 

 merous herds, and when one of them happens to discover a plen- 

 tiful pasture, he instantly gives a loud signal to the rest, as an 

 invitation to partake of his luxurious fare. The meadows, how- 

 ever, must be equally fertile and extensive, to furnish a numerous 

 herd with a competent supply ; and for that reason they often 

 seek fresh pasturage, and do incredible damage whenever they 

 stray into cultivated grounds, not only devouring vast quantities 

 of food, but also destroying, by the enormous weight of their 

 bodies, more than they eat. 



The inhabitants of the countries where they abound, use every 

 artifice to prevent the approach of these unwelcome visitants, 

 making loud noises, and kindling large fires round their habita- 

 tions : but, notwithstanding all their precautions, the elephants 

 sometimes break in upon them, and destroy their harvest. It is 

 very difficult to repel these formidable invasions ; for the whole 

 herd advances together, and whether they attack, mar^h. or fly, 

 they generally act in concert. 



Although the elephant be indisputably the strongest, as well as 

 the largest of all quadrupeds, yet in its native woods and deserts 

 it is neither formidable nor ferocious, but mild and peaceable in 

 its disposition, equally fearless and inoffensive ; and when tamed 

 by man, and tutored by his instructions, the noble animal sub- 

 mits to the most painful drudgery, and is so attentive to the com 

 mands of its master, that a word, or a look, is sufficient to stimu- 

 late him to extraordinary exertion. 



Of all the animals that have been subjugated by the human 

 race, the elephant is universally allowed to be the most tractable 

 and obedient. When treated with kindness, he testifies his grati- 

 tude by fulfilling all the desires of his keeper, caresses him with 

 affectionate fondness, receives his commands with attention, and 



