42 SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY. 



into the field of battle, and wondering at those tumults and that 

 madness which he is compelled to increase. 



The elephant is a native of Africa and Asia, being found neither 

 in Europe nor America. The savage inhabitants of Africa, instead 

 of attempting to subdue this powerful creature to their necessities, 

 are happy in being able to protect themselves from his fury. For- 

 merly, indeed, during the splendor of the Carthaginian empire, ele- 

 phants were used in their wars, but this was only a transitory gleam 

 of human power in that part of the globe ; the natives of Africa; 

 have long since degenerated, and the elephant is only known among 

 them from his devastations. However, there are no elephants in 

 the northern parts of Africa at present, there being none found ou 

 this side of Mount Atlas* It is beyond the river Senegal that they 

 are to be met with in great numbers, and so down to the Cape of 

 Good Hope, as well as in the heart of the country. Pn this exten- 

 sive region they appear to be more numerous than in any other 

 part of the world. They are there less fearful of men : less retired 

 into the heart of the forests, they seem to be sensible of his impo- 

 tence and ignorance ; and often come down to ravage his little la- 

 bors. They treat him with the same haughty disdain which they 

 show to other animals, and consider him as a mischievous little be- 

 ing, that fears to oppose them openly. 



But, although these animals are most plentiful in Africa, it is on- 

 ly in Asia that the greatest elephants are found, and rendered sub- 

 servient to human command. In Africa, the largest do not exceed 

 ten feet high ; in Asia, they are found from tei> to fifteen. Their 

 price increases in proportion to their size ; and when they exceed 

 a certain bulk, like jewels, their value then rises as the fancy is 

 pleased to estimate. 



As the art of war is but very little improved in Asia, there are few 

 princes of the East who do not procure and maintain as many ele- 

 phants as they are able, and place great confidence on their assist- 

 ance in an engagement. For this purpose, they are obliged to take 

 them wild in their native forests and tame them. 



The elephant, when once tamed, becomes the most gentle and 

 obedient of all animal's. It soon conceives an attachment for the 

 person that attends it, caresses him, oheys him, and seems to anti- 

 cipate his desires. In a short time it begins to comprehend several 

 of the signs made to it, and even the different sounds of the voice ; 

 it perfectly distinguishes the tone of command from that of anger 

 or approbation, and it acts accordingly. It is seldom deceived in- 

 its master's voice ; it receives his orders with attention, and executes 

 them with prudence ; eagerly, yet without precipitation. All its 

 motions are regulated ; and its actions seem to partake of its magni- 

 tude, being grave, majestic, and secure. It is quickly taught to 

 kneel down, to receive its rider; it caresses those it knows with its 

 trunk ; with this salutes such as it is ordered to distinguish, and 

 with this, as with a hand, helps to take up a part of its load. It 

 suffers itself to be arrayed in harness, and seems to take a pleasure 

 in the finery of its trappings. It draws either chariots, cannon, or 



