1;K) NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Surprising instances of strength. 



which their keeper had instigated them by a pro- 

 mise of some fruits and brandy. They united 

 their efforts; and, doubling up their trunks, which 

 were covered with leather, to guard them from 

 injury, they thrust against the strongest part of 

 the wall: and by repeated strokes continued their 

 exertions, carefully watching the effects of the 

 equilibrium-: at length, having made one violent 

 effort, they suddenly drew back, to avoid being 

 wounded; and the whole came tumbling to the 

 ground. 



Elephants were formerly used in India for the 

 purpose of launching vessels. One was ordered 

 to force a ship of considerable burthen into the 

 water; but the task proved superior to his 

 strength. His master, in a sarcastic tone, desired 

 the keeper to take away that lazy beast, and 

 bring another in its stead. The poor animal im- 

 mediately renewed his efforts with such violence, 

 that he fractured his skull, and died on the spot. 



Previous to the use of fire arms these animals 

 were successfully employed in battle ; but in the 

 present S3 r stem they w r ould only serve to embar- 

 rass and confuse an army. In dragging artillery 

 over mountains, however, they are extremely 

 serviceable, and on this occasion their care and 

 sagacity are particularly conspicuous. They are 

 also extremely useful in the fording of rivers, by 

 carrying over the baggage on their backs. After 

 the keeper has loaded them with several hundred 

 weight, he fastens ropes to them ; of which the 

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