THE ELEPHANT. 345 



human command. In Africa, the largest do not 

 exceed ten feet high ; in Asia they are found 

 from ten to fifteen. Their price increases in pro- 

 portion to their size ; and when they exceed a 

 certain bulk, like jewels, their value then rises as 

 the fancy is pleased to estimate. 



The largest are entirely kept for the service 

 of princes, and are maintained with the utmost 

 magnificence, and at the greatest expense. The 

 usual colour of the elephant is a dusky black, but 

 some are said to be white, and the price of one 

 of these is inestimable. Such a one is peculiarly 

 appropriated for the monarch's own riding ; he is 

 kept in a palace, attended by the nobles, and al- 

 most adored by the people.* Some have said 

 that these white elephants are larger than the 

 rest;t others assert that they are less; and still 

 others entirely doubt their existence. 



As the art of war is but very little improved in 

 Asia, there are few princes of the East who do 

 not procure and maintain as many elephants as 

 they are able, and place great confidence on their 

 assistance in an engagement. For this purpose, 

 they are obliged to take them wild in their native 

 forests, and tame them ; for the elephant never 

 breeds in a state of servitude. It is one of the 

 most striking peculiarities in this extraordinary 

 creature, that his generative powers totally fail 

 when he comes under the dominion of man ; as 

 if he seemed unwilling to propagate a race of 

 slaves, to increase the pride of his conqueror. 



P. Vincent Marie. f P. Tachard. 



