OF NATURAL HISTORV. 451 



In Iiicila, the domeftic elephants, to whom the ufe of water 

 is as necedliry as that of air, are allowed every poffible con- 

 veniency for bathing themfelves. The animal goes into a 

 river till the water reaches his belly. He then lies down on 

 one fide, fills his trunk feveral times, and dexteroufly throws 

 the water on fuch parts as happen to be uncovered. The 

 mafler, after cleaning and currying one fide, defires the ani- 

 mal to turn to the other, which command he obeys with the 

 greateft alacrity ; and, when both fides have been properly 

 cleaned, he comes out of the river, and flands fome time on 

 the bank to dry himfelf. The elephant, though his mafs be 

 enormous, is an excellent Avimmer ; and, of courfe, he is of 

 great ufe in the paffage of rivers. When employed on oc- 

 calions of this kind, he is often loaded with two pieces of 

 cannon which admit three or four pound balls, befide great 

 quantities of baggage and feveral men fixed to his ears and 

 his tail. When thus heavily loaded, he fpontaneoufly enters 

 the river and fwims over with his trunk elevated in the air 

 for the benefit of refpiration. He is fond of wine and ar- 

 dent fpirits. By fiiowing him a vefTel filled with any of 

 thefe liquors, and promifing him it as a reward of his labours, 

 he is induced to exert the greateft efforts, and to perform 

 the mofl painful tafks. The elephant, as we are informed 

 by M. de BufTey, quoted by the Count de Buffon, is employ- 

 ed in draggini^ artillery over mountains, and, en thefe occa- 

 fions, his fagacity and docility are conrpicuous. Horfes or 

 oxen, v/hen yoked to a cannon, make all their exertions to 

 pull it up a declivity. But the elephant pufhes the breach 

 forvs^ard with his front, and, at each effort, fupports the car- 

 riage with his knee, which he places againft the wheel. He 

 feems to underfland what his cornach^ or conductor, fays 

 to him. When his condu(9:or wants him to perform any 

 painful labour, he explains the nature of the operation, and 

 gives the reafons which fhould induce him to obey. If the 



