MAMMIFEROUS ANIMALS. 341 



Near the internal nasal openings, there is a 

 moveable, cartilaginous plate, which enables the 

 animal to shut the communication with those 

 cavities at pleasure, and thus prevents the water 

 with which it occasionally fills the trunk, from 

 entering into the nasal passages ; while from 

 having the power of moving (he proboscis in all 

 directions without closing at the same time both 

 the internal cavities, respiration is not inter- 

 rupted, and water, when received into the tubes, 

 can be allowed to remain until the animal 

 chooses to throw it out by expiration, and 

 thus either to convey it into the mouth when it 

 wishes to drink, over the whole head and body 

 for the purpose of ablution, or to force it in every 

 direction to a considerable distance from him, 

 when he has no longer occasion for its use, or 

 to punish those with whom he may accidentally 

 be displeased. 



At the further extremity of the proboscis, there 

 is a concave protuberance the superior part of 

 which is extended several inches beyond the infe- 

 rior, together forming with the rough edges of 

 this bulb, a prehensive organ, that, like the 

 human fingers arid hand, is capable of grasping 

 any substance which the Elephant may wish to 

 take up. 



This part of the proboscis is therefore used 

 to absorb and pour into his throat water, when he 

 wishes to drink, to break off and convey to his 



