CHAP. I. INSTINCTS OF ELEPHANTS. 23 



the animal will endeavour to lie on his side, so as to 

 avoid sinking deeper ; and, for this purpose, will avail 

 himself of every means to obtain relief. The usual 

 mode of extricating him is much the same as when 

 pitted ; that is, by supplying him liberally with straw, 

 boughs, grass, &c. : these materials being thrown to 

 the distressed animal, he forces them down with his 

 trunk, till they are lodged under his fore feet in suffi- 

 cient quantity to resist his pressure. Having thus 

 formed a sufficient basis for exertion, the sagacious 

 animal next proceeds to thrust other bundles under his 

 belly, and as far back under his flanks as he can reach : 

 when such a basis is formed, as may be, in his mind, 

 proper to proceed upon, he throws his whole weight 

 forward, and gets his hind feet gradually upon the 

 straw, &c. Being once confirmed on a solid footing, 

 he will next place the succeeding bundles before him, 

 pressing them well with his trunk, so as to form a 

 causeway by which to reach the firm ground. The in- 

 stinct of the animal, and probably the experience of his 

 past danger, actuates him not to bear any weight, defi- 

 nitely, until, by trial both with his trunk and the next 

 foot that is to be planted, he has completely satisfied 

 himself of the firmness of the ground he is to tread 

 upon. Indeed, the caution with which this, and every 

 part of his conduct on these occasions, is marked, evinces 

 how forcibly nature has impressed him with a sense of 

 his great weight. The anxiety of the animal, when 

 bemired, forms a curious contrast with the pleasure he 

 so strongly evinces on arriving at terra firma. 



(28.) In their various modes of defence, or avoidance 

 of their enemies, quadrupeds, like other classes of animals, 

 frequently display wonderful instinct. The jerboa makes 

 a burrow under ground, at the end of which a store of 

 herbs is safely deposited. The cavern has but one 

 entrance ; but the wary inhabitant forms another, which 

 reaches so nearly to the surface, that, in case of being 

 taken by surprise, it can immediately burst through 

 and escape. The chamois, and several other species of 

 c 4 



