THE ELEPHANT. 157 



a trunk, yet, with respect to the rest of its conforma- 

 tion, it is helpless and unwieldly : the neck is so short 

 that it can scarce turn the head, and must wheel round 

 to survey an enemy in the rear : the legs are likewise 

 very stiff, and will scarcely bend at all when the ani- 

 mal is far advanced in age ; and when that period ar- 

 rives, it always stands to repose : the feet, upon which 

 these massy columns are supported, form a base that 

 are but little broader than the legs ; and though they 

 are divided into five toes, they are entirely concealed 

 by a covering of skin. The enormous tusks which the 

 creature uses as a defence, frequently annoy it by the 

 immensity of their weight, and it is obliged to make 

 holes in the walls of its stall, where they may rest, 

 and by that means enable the animal to support the 

 cumbrous weight. These tusks, which proceed from 

 the upper jaw, sometimes grow six feet in length ; but 

 the method of choosing the best ivory from them be- 

 longs rather to the artist than the naturalist to describe. 

 Though the lips and tongue assist other creatures as 

 well in drinking as eating their food, to the elephant, 

 in those cases, they are wholly useless, as the trunk 

 completely supplies their place. 



The chief sustenance of these quadrupeds is of the 

 vegetable kind ; and they seem to have an antipathy to 

 every species of animal food. When one of the num- 

 ber happens to light upon a fertile spot of ground, he 

 instantly gives a loud signal to the rest, by way of in- 

 viting them to partake of his luxurious fare, though 

 extensive, indeed, must be the pasturage that would 

 aflord to any number a competent supply : it is not 

 merely the quantity they consume, but, from their 

 enormous weight, they are destructive to the land, 

 and tread in more corn than thev are able to eat. In 



