224 ANDREW JACKSON HOWE. 



convolutions; and the animal is known to be one of 

 the most sagacious of quadrupeds. Its memory of 

 friends and foes extends a lifetime. 



The muscles of an elephant are distributed to the 

 limbs from the vertebral column, scapulae, and pelvic 

 bones, much as they are in the larger and more fa- 

 miliar quadrupeds. The most striking feature of 

 them is their massiveness. In the mechanism of the 

 elephant there is provision for the outlay of physical 

 force, and no adaptation for speed or agility. The or- 

 dinary walk of the elephant is a little faster than a 

 corresponding gait in the horse. When hastened by 

 fright the animal manages to escape with an ambling 

 stride which a horse has to gallop to match in speed. 

 The leg joints are poised perpendicularly, one over 

 the other, so that it is difficult to determine whether 

 the backward or forward swing of a joint is to be 

 called flexion. 



The tendons of the muscles of the legs which ex- 

 tend to the feet are white and glistening cords an inch 

 in diameter; they are stronger than any cordage of 

 equal size, and they move in sheaths with less friction 

 than can be attained in the best machinery. 



The sole of the elephant's foot is an immense 

 cushion of yellow elastic tissue, too dense to be punc- 

 tured by stubs or sharp stones. The bottom surface 

 is quite flat, yet it shows the outline of the digital 

 hoofs. Although the elephant takes quite long steps, 

 and in an ungainly manner, the creature has such 

 finely padded toes that its foot-fall can not be heard 

 but a short distance. The track of the beast in the 

 mud or sand leaves no digital marks. In walking, 

 a fore and hind limb on one side of the body move at 

 a time, and the hind-foot is placed almost in the spot 



