The Elephant. 



113 



VII.Pachijdermata, or Thick-skinned Animals. 



THE ELEPHANT. (Elephas indicus.) 



PROVIDENCE, always impartial in the distribution of its 

 gifts, has given this bulky quadruped a quick instinct 

 nearly approaching to reason, in compensation for the 

 uncouthness of his body. The Ceylon Elephant is 

 about ten or twelve feet high, and is much the largest 

 of all living quadrupeds. His skin is in general a 

 mouse colour, but is sometimes white and sometimes 

 black. His eyes are rather small for the size of his 

 head, and his ears, which are very expanded and of a 

 peculiar shape, have the flaps hanging down, instead of 

 standing up, as in most quadrupeds. The Elephant is a 

 gregarious animal in his wild state, and when domesti- 

 cated is susceptible of attachment and gratitude, as well 

 as of anger and revenge. Several anecdotes are related 



