OF NATURAL HISTORY. 447 



phant conveys large or fm&U bodies to bis mouth, places 

 them on his back, embraces them fall:^ or throws them forci- 

 bly to a diftance. In a ftate of nature and perfect freedom, 

 the difpolitions of the elepliant are neither fanguinary nor 

 ferocious. They are gentle creatures, and never exert their 

 {Irength, or employ their weapons, but in defending them- 

 felves or protetSling their companions. Even when deprived 

 of the inftruction of mien, they poflefs the fagacity of the 

 beaver, the addrefs of the ape, and the acutenefs of the dog. 

 To thefe mental talents are added the advantages of amaz- 

 ing bodily ftrength, and the experience and knov.dedge he 

 acquires by hving at leafl: two centuries. AVith his trunk he 

 tears up trees. By a pufh of his body he m.akes a breach 

 in a wall. To this prodigious ftrength he adds courage, 

 prudence, and coolnefs of deportment. As he never makes 

 an attack but when he receives an injury, he is univerfally 

 beloved ; and all animals refpecSt, becaule none have any reaf- 

 on to fear him. In all ages, men have entertained a venera- 

 tion for this moft magnificent and fagacicus of terreftrial 

 creatures. The ancients regarded him as a miracle of Nature, 

 and he is, in reality, one of her greateft efforts. Eut they 

 have greatly exaggerated his faculties. Without helitation, 

 they have afcribed to him high intellectual powers and morid 

 virtues. Pliny, ^lian, Plutarch, and other authors of a 

 more modern date, have beftowed on the elephant not only 

 rational manners, but an innate religion, a kind of daily ador- 

 ation of the fun and moon, the ufe of ablution before worfliip, 

 a fpirit of divination, piety toward heaven and their fellow 

 creatures, whom they affift at the approach of death, and, af- 

 ter their deceafe, bedew them with tears, aud cover their 

 bodies with earth. 



When tamed and inflrucled by man, the elephant is foon 

 rendered the mildefi: and moft obedient of all domeftic 

 animals. He loves his keeper, carelTcs him, and anticipates 



