ELEPHANT* 127 



, and sometimes amuse themselves for several 

 hours together with swimming. 



Though the elephant is so wonderfully aided by hi* 

 trunk in such a variety of operations, yet with respect 

 to the rest of his conformation he is clumsy and un- 

 weiidy; he goes forward., however, with ease and ce- 

 lerity^ and in walking or running is equal in speed to 

 the generality of horses}- but he turns with difficulty, 

 and not without taking a pretty large circuit. Hi$ 

 neck is so short that he can scarcely turn his head,, 

 and must wheel round in order to survey an enemy in 

 the rear; and his legs are so stiff a- scarcely to bend 

 when he is advanced in years* so that when that pe- 

 riod arrives he is obliged to repose himself standing. 



These quadrupeds subsist wholly on vegetables, ami 

 appear to have an antipathy against animal food* 

 They associate in numerous herd*, and when one of 

 them happens to discover a plentiful pasture, he in- 

 stant Jv gives a loud signal to the rest, as an invitation 

 to partake of h.5s luxurious fare~ The meadows, how- 

 ever, must be equally fertile and extensive to furnish 

 a numerous herd with a competent* supply; and fos 

 that reason they often seek fresh pasturage, and do 

 incredible damage whenever they stray into cultivat- 

 ed grounds, not only devouring vast quantities of food, 

 but also destroying, by the enormous weight of their 

 bodies, more than thjey eat. 



The inhabitants of the countries where they abound, 

 use every artifice to prevent the approach of these un- 

 welcome visitants, making loud noises, and kindling 

 large fires round their habitations: but, notwithstand- 

 ing all their precautions, the elephants- sometimes 

 break in upon them, and destroy their harvest. It is 

 very difficult to repel these formidable invasions; for 

 the whole herd advances together, aad whether they 

 attack, inarch, or fly, they generally" act in concert. 



Although the elephant be indisputably the strongest 

 as well as the largest of all quadrupeds, yet in its na- 

 tive woods and deserts it is neither formidable nor fe- 

 rocious, but mild and peaceable in its disposition, 

 equally fearless and inoffensive; and when tamed by 



