24 THE ELEPHANT. 



whom they either crush with their trunks, or impale on 

 their tusks; but in those barbarous offices they are not 

 voluntary assistants, they only act by command, and do 

 violence to their natural disposition, when they are cruel 

 without personal provocation. 



This animal's sense of smelling is truly exquisite; nor is 

 it less remarkable for its sense of hearing. Its ears are 

 extremely large, and greater in proportion than even those 

 of an ass ; they usually hang dowu, but it can readily raise 

 and move them ; they serve also to wipe its eyes, and to 

 protect them against the dust and flies, that might other- 

 wise incommode them. It appears delighted with music, 

 and very readily learns to beat time, to move in measure, 

 and even to join its voice to the sound of the drum and the 

 trumpet. 



It is scarcely necessary to mention that the teeth 

 of this animal are of great value, and that they furnish 

 ivory. For the sake of this article alone, elephants are 

 frequently killed ; and the hunter, who is fortunate enough 

 to come in for such a prize, thinks himself amply recom- 

 pensed for his danger and trouble in the chace. 



The Elephant is said to live upwards of a hundred years. 

 To his longevity, and other prominent qualities, the poet, 

 Thomson, alludes in the following animated lines : 



Peaceful, beneath primeval trees, that cast 



Their ample shade o'er Niger's yellow stream, 



And where the Ganges rolls his sacred wave; 



Or mid the central depth of blackening woods, 



High raised in solemn theatre around, 



Leans the huge ELEPHANT, wisest of brutes ! 



O truly wise ! with gentle might endowed, 



Though powerful, not destructive ! here he sees 



Revolving ages sweep the changeful earth, 



And empires rise and fall ; regardless he 



Of what the never-resting race of men 



Project : thrice happy ! could he 'scape their guile ! 



Who mine, from cruel avarice, his steps : 



Or with his towery grandeur swell their state 



The pride of kings .' or else his strength pervert, 



And bid him rage amid the mortal fray, 



Astonished at the madness of mankind. 



