

140 LETTER XXIV. 



the rain}, trees of softer consistence, and of a vcrv 

 succuleut quality, which seem to be destined for the 



' principal food of this animal. For the purpose of 

 gaining rile highest branches of these, his upper lip is 

 capable of being lengthened out, so as to increase his 

 power of laying hold with it, in the same manner, as 

 the elephant does with his trunk. With this lip, and 



'the assistance of his tongue, lie pulls down the upper 

 branches, which have most leaves, and these he de- 

 vours first.' Having stripped the tree of its branches, 

 ho ({<,--s not immediately abandon it; but, placing his 

 snout, as low in the trunks as he finds his horns will 

 enter, he rips up the body of the tree, sand reduces it to 

 thin pieces, like so many kuhs; and when he has thus 

 prepared it, he embraces as much of it as nr can in 

 his monstrous jaws, and twists it round with as much 

 ease as an ox would do a root of celiery, or any small 

 plant. 



" When pursued and in fear lie possesses an asto- 

 nishing degree of swiftness, considering the uuvvieliii- 

 nes:-: of his body, his great weight before, and the 

 shortness of his legs. It is not true, that in a plain, 



" he beats the hoive in swiftness j for though a horse 



"can Very se.idoia come up, this is merely owing to hi* 

 cunning. lie makes constantly from wood to wood, 

 and forces himself into the thickest parts of them; the 

 trees that are dead or dry, are broken down as with a 

 cannon shot, and fall behind him and on his side, in 

 all directions; others that are more pliable, or fuller 

 of sap, are bent back by his weight and the velocity 

 of his motions ; and after he has passed, restoring 

 themselves, like a green branch, to their natural po- 

 sition, they often sweep the incautious pursuer and 

 his horse from the ground, and dash them in pieces 

 against the surrounding trees/' 



In my next I shall endeavour to amuse you with 

 some new curiosity in nature, and in the mean time, 

 beg leave to assure you, that 



I am, wifth upjefghefd affection, dear Sir,, 



Your's, &;c. 



