ANIMALS. 471 



proiiiid is fixed upon, wliicli is surrounded with a strong pallisade. 

 Tbis is made of the thickest and the strongest trees ; and 

 strengthened by cross bars, which give firmness to the whole. 

 The posts are fixed at such distances from each other that a man 

 can easily pass between them ; there being only one great passage 

 left open, through which an elephant can easily come ; and which 

 is so contrived as to shut behind, as soon as the beast is entered. 

 To draw him into this inclosure, it is necessary first to find him 

 out in the woods ; and a female elephant is conducted alone in- 

 to the heart of the forest, where it is obliged by its keeper to 



males or Gonndahn are driven from the Iierd. It is necessary tliat those 

 wliich are domesticated should be kept low at that "season ; but this does not 

 always prove efficacious, and the animal is either turned out into the woods 

 or destroyed, to prevent mischief. Tliree examples of this kind \\,\\c oc- 

 curred within a few years, in Europe. The first of them was in an elephant 

 belonging to M. Garnier, which broke loose at Venice, and, after having 

 done much mischief, was destroyed by a cannon ball. Another elephant 

 belonging to the same person was remarkable for its docility, and in its 

 journeys from town to town was conducted on foot by niglit, instead of 

 being conveyed in a moveable den. Sufficient time having elapsed during 

 his stay at Geneva to suit his omier's convenience, he was to have been 

 removed elsewhere ; but shortly previous to his departure he became irrita- 

 ble, although not refractory, and the journey was commenced. He had not, 

 however, gone far from the city before he became ill-tempered to his keeper ; 

 and the man, being fearful, ran away, pursued by the angry beast into Ge- 

 neva, ^^■here he was at last enticed Ihto an inclosure. Tliree ounces of 

 Prussic acid in brandy were given to him, but no efi'ect was produced, and 

 three ounces of arsenic mixed with honey and sugar were next taken, but 

 with as little result ; a second dose of the .arsenic was offered ; but he refused 

 it, and it was then determined to destroy him by shooting him with a cannon 

 ball, which entered near the ear, and the animal, after tottering for a few 

 minutes, fell down and died. The third instance occurred in London, in 

 l8-2(i, at Exeter Ciiange. About six years before, the elephant first exhi- 

 bited syinpt<mis of that natural excitement which occurs for a short timt 

 annually among-^t these animals. From year to year this increased, but 

 never was of sufficient import.ance to give cause for fear till last February, 

 when ho became excessively violent: medicines were administered, for th e 

 purpose of removing this excitement, but without effect: he became very 

 unmanageable, and, driving \v\\\i his head against the strong posts forming 

 the front of his den, broke them in such m:inner as to render his confinc- 

 nient very uncertain, and to induce Mr Cross, his owner, to attempt his 

 destruction. For this purpose arsenic was given in his oats, which he re- 

 fused ; and every subsequent endeavour to entice liim to take food was 

 futile, as he seemed to have some idea of the intended mischief, and throw- 

 ing down whatever was offered to him, crushed it with his foot. At last i! 

 became neiess.iry to shoot him, as all other attempts at his destruriioTi en-. 

 tirety failed ; but he w.-vs not destroyed till he had received liO nuisket balls, 

 and above an lumr had been spent in thi- attack upon him. 



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