250 THE ASIATIC ELEPHANT. 



In order to support the enormous weight which rests upon them, the 

 legs are very stout, and are set perpendicularly, without that bend in the 

 hinder-leg which is found in most animals. There is an elongated can- 

 non bone in the Elephant, so that the hind-legs are without the so-called 

 knee-joint. This structure, however, is of infinite use to the animal 

 when it climbs or descends steep acclivities — a feat which it can per- 

 form with marvellous ease. It may seem strange, but it is nevertheless 

 true, that localities which would be totally inaccessible to a horse are 

 traversed by the Elephant with perfect ease. 



In descending from a height, the animal performs a very curious 

 series of manoeuvres. Kneeling down with its fore-feet stretched out 

 in front, and its hinder-legs bent backward, as is their wont, the Ele- 

 phant hitches one of its fore-feet upon some projection or in some crev- 

 ice, and, bearing fijmly upon this support, lowers itself for a short dis- 

 tance. It then advances the other foot, secures it in like manner, 

 and slides still farther, never losing its hold of one place of vantage 

 until another is gained. Should no suitable projection be found, the 

 Elephant scrapes a hole in the ground with its advanced foot, and 

 makes use of this artificial depression in its descent. If the declivity 

 be very steep, the animal will not descend in a direct line, but makes 

 an oblique track along the face of the hill. Although the description 

 of this curious process occupies some time, the actual feat is performed 

 with extreme rapidity. 



Though the foot of an Elephant is extremely large, it is most admira- 

 bly formed for the purpose which it is destined to fulfil, and does not, as 

 might be supposed, fall heavily upon the ground. The hoof that in- 

 closes the foot is composed of a vast number of horny plates, that aYe 

 arranged on the principle of the common carriage-spring, and seem to 

 guard the animal from the jarring shock of the heavy limb upon the 

 soil. Those who for the first time witness the walk or the run of the 

 Elephant are always surprised at the silent ease of the creature's free, 

 sweeping step. As there is no short ligament in the head of the thigh- 

 bone, the hind-foot is swung forward at each step, clearing the ground 

 easily, but being scarcely raised above the surface of the earth. 



Having thus given a short sketch of the characteristics which are 

 common to both species of Elephants, I will proceed to a short account 

 of the Asiatic animal. 



The Asiatic Elephant bears a world-wide fame for its capabilities 

 as a servant and companion of man, and for the extraordinary develop- 

 ment of its intellectual faculties. Hundreds of these animals are annual- 

 ly captured, and in a very short period of time become wholly subjected 

 to their owners, and learn to obey their commands with implicit sub- 

 mission. Indeed, the power of the human intellect is never so conspic- 

 uous as in the supremacy which man maintains over so gigantic and 



