CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 11. PACHYDERM A T A. 



625 



SKELETON OF AN ELEPHANT. 



the grateful remembrance which it long retains of benefits conferred, or of the tenacity with which 

 it "treasures up a wrong," and though the instances of its docility, both ancient and modern, are 

 very extraordinary, we agree upon the whole with Cuvier, who says that after having studied 

 these animals a long time, he never found their intelligence to surpass that of a dog or of many 

 other carnivorous animals. It is imposing to see such a mountain of vitality obedient to the voice 

 of its keeper, and performing feats at his dictation ; and the massive gravity of its physiognomy 

 assists the impression. 



These huge animals live in considerable troops, seeking moist situations, where the vegetation 

 is abundant and vigorous. They feed on large succulent plants, and as the quantity they devour 

 is enormous, they are frequently obliged to change their places to obtain supplies. They are 

 fond of the sugar-cane, and sometimes do immense damage in the plantations. The herds are 

 usually led by an old male, who seems to exercise general influence over them. They are fond 

 of marshes, and traverse rivers, being excellent swimmers. Excessive heat and cold are alike un- 

 favorable to them. They have a rapid trot, and it requires a fast horse to follow them when at 

 their greatest speed. In running, they keep flapping their large ears as if they were wings. In 

 their flight they turn with difficulty, and are very slow and clumsy in descending rapid declivi- 

 ties. The general color of this species is an earthy-gray ; the skin, which is tough and hard, is 

 nearly naked, having only a few short hairs scattered here and there. Some of these animals 

 are albinos, and are white, tinged with rose-color. Some of the natives along the Ganges believe 

 these to be held in regard by the spirits of the ancient kings. The kings of Siam, Pegu, and 

 other countries of Farther India, add to their titles, " Lord of the AYhite Elephant !" They keep 

 these animals in their palaces, causing them to be sumptuously harnessed and served by a large 

 number of domestics. 



The size of this species varies from seven to ten feet high, eight feet being the average; the 

 length of the body from the mouth to the insertion of the tail is ten to fifteen feet. They attain 

 their full size at about twenty -four years of age ; the average of life is about seventy -five years, 

 though instances of much greater age are common. They are seldom bred in captivity ; nearly 



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