MAMMALS 



207 



FIG. 376. HEAD OF AFRICAN ELEPHANT. 



both subsist upon plant food-. Both have peaceful disposi- 

 tions, but one order has found safety and ability to survive 

 by attaining enormous size and strength ; the other (e.g. 

 rats, squirrels) has found safety in small size. Explain. 



Suppose you were 

 to observe an elephant 

 for the first time, with- 

 out knowing any of its 

 habits. How would 

 you know that it does 

 not eat meat ? That it 

 does eat plant food ? 

 That it can defend it- 

 self ? Why would you make the mistake of thinking that 

 it is very clumsy and stupid ? Why is its skin naked ? 

 Thick ? Why must its legs' be so straight ? Why must it 

 have either a very long neck or a substitute for one ? 

 (Fig. 376.) Are the eyes large or small? The ears? The 

 brain cavity ? What anatomical feature correlates with 

 the long proboscis ? Is the proboscis a new organ not 

 found in other animals, or is it a specialization of one or 

 more old ones ? Reasons ? What senses are especially 

 active in the proboscis ? How is it used in drinking ? In 



grasping ? What evidence that 

 it is a development of the 

 nose ? The upper lip ? 



The tusks are of use in up- 

 rooting trees for their foliage 

 and in digging soft roots for 

 food. Can the elephant graze ? Why, or why not ? There 

 is a finger-like projection on the end of the snout which is 

 useful in delicate manipulations. The feet have pads to 

 prevent jarring ; the nails are short and hardly touch the 

 ground. Order- Why? ._ Key, page 193. 



FIG. 377. MOLAR TOOTH 

 AFRICAN ELEPHANT. 



