NATURAL HISTORY. 149 



" On high-rais'd decks the haughty Belgians ride, 

 Beneath whose shade our humble frigates go ; 

 Such port the elephant bears, and so defy'd 

 By the rhinoceros her unequal foe." DRYDEX. 



44 1. A :a:ne elephant is really the most docile, gentle, and obedient of all 

 animus. He forms an attachment to his keeper; comprehends signs; learns to 

 distinguish the various tones of the human voice, as expressive of anger, 

 approbation, or command ; is generous, grateful, and humane. Many ludicrous 

 stories, compounded of truth and fable, have been related of the elephant. But 

 there are sufficiently well-attested proofs of his sagacity without resorting to 

 the marvellous. 



The following anecdotes and facts will be found interesting : 



AN ELEPHANT PROTECTS THE SICK AND DYING. 



44.3. In the Laknaor, the capital of Soubah, during the rage of an epidemic 

 distemper, the principal road to the palace gate was covered with sick and dying 

 people, extended on the ground and incapable of moving, though at a time when 

 the Nabob was to pass on his elephant. The indifference of the prince about the 

 lives of his perishing subjects, the haste with which he sought to pass, and the 

 towering motions and heavy steps of the elephant, seemed to threaten inevitable 

 death to those unhappy wretches who chanced to be in his way. But the generous 

 quadruped, without receiving any command to the purpose, and even without 

 slackening his pace, dexterously assisted the poor creatures with his trunk, 

 removing some, raising others, and stepping over the rest ; so that none suffered 

 the slightest injury. 



AN ELEPHANT GOES REGULARLY TO A HOSPITAL TO HAVE HIS 

 . WOUNDS 



446. An elephant, who, in the course of the war between the French and 

 English in the East Indies, in 1759, had received a wound by a cannon ball : after 

 being once or twice conducted to the hospital to have his wound dressed, constantly 

 attended of himself at the proper time, till it was healed. That the surgeon might 

 operate, he readily extended himself on the ground. He bore with patience the 

 application even of burning caustic to his wound. The aeuteness of the pain 

 would sometimes force from him a plaintive groan ; but to the person who, by 

 inflicting momentary torments, sought to accomplish his cure, he expressed none 

 but emotions of gratitude. 



AFFECTION OF THE ELEPHANT FOR ITS SPECIES. 



447. A shot from one of the hunters had broken a male elephant's left fore leg, 

 which completely disabled him from running. On this occasion, there occurred 

 a touching instance of affection and sagacity in the elephant, which well illustrates 

 tbo character of this noble animal. Seeing the danger and distress of her mate, 

 the female, regardless of her own peril, quitted her shelter in the bush, rushed 

 out to his assistance, walked round and round him, chasing away th assailants, 

 and etill returr. ug to his side and caressing him ; and when he attempted to walk 



