320 THE MENTAL CAPACITIES AND 



The same kind of judgment and sagacity are, however, 

 shown by the Elephant when he gets into too soft a 

 swamp. 



Swainson writes: — "The cylindrical form of an Elephant's leg— 

 which is nearly of equal thickness — causes the animal to sink very 

 deep in heavy ground, especially in the muddy banks of small 

 rivers. When thus situated, the animal will endeavour to lie on 

 his side, so as to avoid sinking deeper; and, for this purpose, will 

 avail himself of every means to obtain relief. The usual mode of 

 extricatir)g him is much the same as when he is pitted ; that is, 

 by supplying him liberally with straw, boughs, grass, &c. ; these 

 materials being thrown to the distressed animal he forces them 

 down with his trunk, till they are lodged under his fore-feet in 

 sufficient quantity to resist his pressure. Having thus formed a 

 sulHcient basis for exertion, the sagacious animal next proceeds to 

 thrust other bundles under his belly, and as far back under his 

 flanks as he can reach; when such a basis is formed as ma}'- be, in 

 his mind, proper to proceed upon, he throws his whole weight for- 

 wards, and gets his hind feet gradually upon the straw, &c. Being 

 once confirmed on a solid footing, he will next place the succeeding 

 bundles before him, pressing them well with his trunk, so as to form 

 a causeway by which to reach the firm ground." " He will not bear 

 any weight, definitely, until by trial both with his trunk and the 

 next foot that is to be planted, he has completely satisfied himself 



of the firmness of the ground he is to tread upon The 



anxiety of the animal, when bemired, forms a strong contrast with 

 the pleasure he so strongly evinces on arriving at terra firina." 



The following particulars were among those reported to 

 the Academy of Sciences, concerning a young animal, 

 the property of Louis XIV., which was kept for a time 

 at Versailles : — 



" The Elephant seemed to discern when anybody made a fool of 

 him ; and he remembered the afi:ront, to be revenged of it at the 

 first opportunity. Having been baulked by a man who feigned to 

 throw something into his mouth, he struck him with his trunk and 

 broke two of his ribs, afterwards he trampled him under his 

 feet. A painter was desirous of sketching him in an 



