6 . History of Nature. [BooK VIII. 



steps so equally ordered that they would not touch any of 

 the Company as they were Drinking. 



CHAPTER III. 

 The Docility of Elephants. 



IT is certain that there was one Elephant who was of a 

 slower Capacity than the others, so that he was often 

 beaten with Stripes because he did not Learn that which was 

 Taught him ; and he was found Studying those Lessons by 

 Night, which he had not succeeded in Learning by Day. 1 

 But one of the greatest Wonders was, that they could mount 

 up against a Rope; and, more wonderful, that they should 

 slide down again with their Faces downward. Mutianus, 

 who had been thrice Consul, reporteth that one of them had 

 Learned to make the Greek Letters, and was accustomed to 

 Write in that Language thus: This have I myself written, 

 and have dedicated the Celtic spoils. Also himself saw at 

 Puteoli, when some Elephants that had been brought 

 thither were forced to go forth out of the Vessel in which 

 they had come, but being affrighted at the extent of the way 

 from the Ship to the Land, to deceive themselves so that 

 the way might not seem too long, they went backward with 

 their Tails to the Land. They know that the Riches for 

 which Men lie in wait for them consisteth only in their 

 Arms, which Juba calleth their Horns ; but which Herodotus, 

 who wrote long before him, and custom, hath better termed 

 Teeth. And therefore when they are fallen off, either from 

 Age, or by some Accident, the Elephants themselves hide 

 them in the Ground. And this is the only Ivory ; for all the 

 rest, and the Teeth themselves so far as they are covered 

 within the Flesh, is no better than common Bone. And yet 

 of late for scarcity Men have taken up to cut the Bones into 

 Plates. For it is rare to procure Teeth of any bigness except 

 from India ; since all the rest in our part of the World hath 



1 Plutarch, " De Solert. Anim." tells us of an elephant who practised 

 bis parts by moonlight of his own accord. Wern. Club. 



