ANIMALS. '177 



word is sufficient to put tlic gentle creature into motion, espe- 

 cially when it is acquainted witli its conductor. This acquaint- 

 ance is often perfectly necessary ; for the elephant frequently 

 takes such an affection to its keeper, that it will obey no other ; 



prince," to eat and drink mth groat gravity and propriety of demeanour, 

 and to make her re\erence to an audience without any apparent signal, 

 are very striking evidences of the tractability of the creature : but tliey are 

 by no means of the class of novel exhibitions, and they have been excelled 

 by other performances, of which we ha^o a distinct record. One of the 

 most remarkable narratives of the ancient display of elephants in a theatre, 

 is that of JElian, wlio has described, in a very lively manner, the extreme 

 docility of the elephants of Germanicus. At that period elephants were 

 bred at Rome— a fact wliich has been most unaccountably overlooked in the 

 descriptions of modem naturalists, but the practicability of whicli has re- 

 ceived abundant confirmation from recent experience. Great care, accord- 

 ing to iElian, was paid to their health ; and the nicest discipline was used 

 to extinguish whatever was ferocious in tlieir nature, and to call forth their 

 sagacity by undeviating kindness. Particular attention was directed to the 

 effect of music upon them ; and they were so accustomed to musical instru- 

 ments, that they not only lost all dread of the clashing of cymbals, but learnt 

 to feel delight at the gentle notes of flutes, and would beat time with their 

 feet when their ears were gratified with the agreeable sounds to wliich they 

 were habituated. Their keeper accustomed them also to the sight of great 

 multitudes of people. Upon an occasion when a particular exhibition.of the 

 docility of the elephants was required, twelve of the most sagacious and 

 well-trained were selected, who, marching into the theatre with a regular 

 step, at the voice of their keeper moved in harmonious mcastu'e, sometimes 

 in a circle, and sometimes divided into parties, scattering flowers over the 

 pavement. In the intervals of the dance, they would beat time to the music, 

 still preserving their proper order. The Romans, with their accustomed 

 luxury, feasted the elephants, after this display, ^vith prodigal magnificence. 

 Splendid couches were placed in the arena, ornamented with paintings, and 

 covered with tapestry. Before the couches, upon tables of ivory and cedar, 

 was spread the banquet of the elephants, in vessels of gold and silver. The 

 preparations being completed, the twelve elephants mai-ched in, six males 

 clad in the robes of men, and six females attired as women. They lay down 

 in order upon their couches, or " Tridintums of festival recumbency,"* 

 and, at a signal, extended their trunks and ate with most praiseworthy 

 moderation. Not one of them, says iElian, appeared the least voracious, or 

 manifested any disposition for an unequal share of the food, or an undue 

 proportion of the delicacies. They were as moderate, also, in tlu'ir drink, 

 and received the cups which were presented to them with the greatest de- 

 corum. Accoriiing to Pliny, at the spectacles given by Germanicus, it was 

 not an uncommon thing to see elephants hurl javelins in the air, iind catch 

 them in their trunks, fight with each other as gladiators, and then execute 

 a Pyrrliic dance. Lastly, they danced upon a rope, and their stops were so 

 practised and certain, that foiu- of them traversed the rope, bearing a litter 



* Sit T. Brown. 



