CHAP. V. DEFENCES OF QUADRUPEDS. 135 



skinned quadrupeds, we find other instruments arid 

 other means employed for the defence and preservation 

 of the individuals. Here we have the most hulky 

 quadrupeds in existence, the elephant, the rhino- 

 ceros, and the hippopotamus. Weight is therefore, 

 here, the great characteristic ; and we accordingly find 

 that these animals, apparently conscious that no others 

 can withstand the enormous pressure of their bodies, 

 trample upon their adversaries, and crush them into a 

 shapeless mass : but, to effect this, they must first be 

 thrown upon the ground. This the rhinoceros accom- 

 plishes by running with irresistible force, and knocking 

 his adversary down with his horn ; while the elephant, 

 entwining his flexible proboscis round his foe, dashes 

 him to the earth, and with one blow thus terminates 

 his existence : besides this, the enormous tusks of the 

 elephant are an additional defence, which render their 

 possessor, otherwise the most intelligent and docile of 

 quadrupeds, one of the most formidable, when enraged, 

 of any in the creation. Another method in which this 

 mighty animal exerts his strength is, by lunging, with 

 nearly the force of a battering ram, against any tree, 

 wall, or other obstacle which impedes his progress. 

 We regret that our limits will not permit us to insert 

 the long but very interesting narrative of the death of 

 Mr. Cross's elephant, killed at Exeter 'Change. The 

 trunk of this quadruped, in fact, is its chief defence ; 

 for it can be employed to lift a man from the ground 

 with perfect ease. To all these means of preservation, 

 may be added that remarkably thick skin which furnishes 

 a name to this order. In the rhinoceros, this charac- 

 teristic is so highly developed, that it is musket proof, 

 and becomes as effectual for defence as if the animal 

 were cased in a coat of mail. The hippopotamus, on 

 the other hand, although possessed of a very thick 

 skin, is destitute both of proboscis, horns, and tusks. 

 His riabits are aquatic ; the depths of rivers are his 

 citadels, where he retreats in the moment of danger, 

 and bids defiance to all enemies of the land : from these 

 K 4 



