THE ELEPHANT. 349 



to the rest. But this method of taking the ele- 

 phant differs, according to the abilities of the 

 hunter : the Negroes of Africa, who hunt this 

 animal merely for its flesh, are content to take it 

 in pit-falls ; and often to pursue it in the defiles 

 of a mountain, where it cannot easily turn, and 

 so wound it from behind till it falls. 



The elephant, when once tamed, becomes the 

 most gentle and obedient of all animals. It soon 

 conceives an attachment for the person that at- 

 tends it, caresses him, obeys him, and seems to 

 anticipate his desires. In a short time it begins 

 to comprehend several of the signs made to it, 

 and even the different sounds of the voice ; it 

 perfectly distinguishes the tone of command from 

 that of anger or approbation, and it acts accord- 

 ingly. It is seldom deceived in its master's 

 voice ; it receives his orders with attention, and 

 executes them with prudence, eagerly, yet with- 

 out precipitation. All its motions are regulated ; 

 and its actions seem to partake of its magnitude, 

 being grave, majestic, and secure. It is quickly 

 taught to kneel down to receive its rider ; it ca- 

 resses those it knows with its trunk; with this 

 salutes such as it is ordered to distinguish, and 

 with this, as with a hand, helps to take up a part 

 of its load. It suffers itself to be arrayed in har- 

 ness, and seems to take a pleasure in the finery 

 of its trappings. It draws either chariots, can- 

 non, or shipping, with surprising strength and 

 perseverance ; and this with a seeming satisfac- 

 tion, provided that it be not beaten without a 



