THE ELEPHANT OF INDIA. 



into a number of arcs, of which the convex part 

 is exterior, and the two ends adhere to the 

 internal membrane ; and of transverse muscles, 

 which stretch from the internal to the external 

 membrane, like the rays of a circle. These last 

 straiten the outward covering, without closing 

 the internal canal, and by this action they lengthen 

 the trunk, by forcing the longitudinal muscles to 

 stretch themselves. The others by contracting 

 shorten the trunk, either entirely when they are 

 all brought into action, or in different parts, either 

 on one or more sides at a time, in one or more 

 portions of its length, and which produces various 

 curves on several parts of its surface, either in a 

 spiral direction, regularly or irregularly; a 

 mechanism at once simple and useful. At the 

 extremity there is an appendage in the form of a 

 finger, by which very small bodies can be raised ; 

 and the whole organ displays one of the most 

 beautiful instruments, remarkable for its sim- 

 plicity, delicacy of sense and action, arid for its 

 strength. 



The general height of the Indian Elephant is 

 from eight to ten feet ; that of the female, about 

 seven or eight. Mr Scott, of Sinton, mentions 

 one male as the largest he had'heard of, twelve 

 feet two inches high, from the crown of the head 

 to the ground ; and at the shoulder, about ten feet 

 five inches. The length was fifteen feet. But the 



