282 MAMMALIA-ELEPHANT. 



and then, and arrives first to the first inclosure, where the male, following 

 her track, enters through the same gate. As soon as he perceives himself 

 shut up, his ardor vanishes, and when he discovers the hunters, he becomes 

 furious. They throw at him ropes with a running knot to stop him ; they 

 fetter his legs and his trunk, they bring two or three tame elephants, led by 

 dexterous men, and try to tie them with the wild elephant, and at last, by 

 dint of dexterity, strength, terror, and caresses, they succeed in taming him 

 in a few days. 



The elephant, once tamed, becomes the most tractable and the most sub- 

 missive of all animals ; he conceives an affection for his leader, he caresses 

 him, and seems to guess whatever can please him. In a little time he 

 understands the signs, and even the expression of sounds ; he distinguishes 

 the tone of command, that of anger or good nature, and acts accordingly. 

 He never mistakes the words of his master. He receives his orders with 

 attention, executes them with prudence and eagerness, without precipita- 

 tion ; for his motions are always measured, and his character seems to 

 participate of the gravity of his body. He is easily taught to bend the knee 

 to assist those who will ride on his back. He caresses his friends with his 

 trunk, and salutes with it the persons he is directed to take notice of. He 

 makes use of it to lift burdens, and helps to load himself. He has no aver- 

 sion to being clothed, and seems to delight in a golden harness or magnifi- 

 cent trappings. He is easily put to the traces of carts, and draws ships 

 upon occasion. He draws evenly, without stopping, or any marks of dis- 

 like, provided he is not insulted by unseasonable correction ; and provided 

 his driver seems to be thankful for the spontaneous exertion of his strength. 

 His leader is mounted on his neck, and makes use of an iron rod, crooked 

 at the end, with which he strikes him gently on the head to make him turn 

 or increase his pace. But often a word is sufficient, especially if he has had 

 time to make himself Avell acquainted with his leader, and has a confidence 

 in him. His attachment is sometimes so strong and so lasting, and his 

 affection so great, tliat commonly he refuses to serve under any other per- 

 son ; and he is known to have died of grief for having in anger killed his 

 governor. 



If it is true, as has been affirmed, that the elephant lives two hundred 

 years, and that he begets when he is one hundred and twenty years old, 

 each couple brings forth forty young in that space of time. Besides, having 

 nothing to fear from other animals, and little even from men, Avho take 

 them with great difficulty, the species has not decreased, and is generally 

 dispersed in all the southern parts of Africa and Asia. 



From time immemorial, the Indians taade use of elephants in war. 

 Amongst those nations unacquainted with the European military discipline, 

 they were the best troops of their armies ; and as long as battles were 

 decided by mere weapons, they commonly vanquished. Yet, we see in 

 history, that the Greeks and Romans used themselves soon to those mon- 



