MAMMALIA—ELEPHANT. 279 
FAMILY I.--PROBOSCIDEA. 
In this family the individuals have their upper incisors in the form of 
elongated tusks ; molars compound and in small number; five toes on all 
the feet; nose prolonged into a proboscis. 
THE ELEPHANT. 
Tue human race excepted, the elephant is the most respectable of ani- 
mals. In size, he surpasses all other terrestrial creatures, and in under- 
standing he is inferior only to man. Of all the brute creation, the elephant, 
the dog, the ape, and the beaver, are most admirable for their sagacity ; but 
the genius of the dog is only borrowed, being instructed by man in almost 
every thing he knows. The monkey has only the appearance of wisdom, 
and the beaver is only sensible with regard to himself, and those of his 
species. The elephant is superior to them all three: he unites all their 
most eminent qualities. The hand is the principal organ of the monkey’s 
dexterity ; the elephant with his trunk, which serves him instead of arms 
and hands, with which he can lift up, and seize the smallest, as well as the 
largest objects, carry them to his mouth, place them on his back, hold them, 
or throw them far off, has the same dexterity as the monkey, and at the 
same time the tractableness of the dog. He is, like him, susceptible of 
gratitude, capable of a strong attachment. He uses himself to man with- 
out reluctance, and submits to him, not so much by force, as by good treat- 
ment; he serves him with zeal, intelligence, and fidelity. In fine, the 
elephant, like the beaver, loves the society of his equals, and makes them 
understand him. They are often seen to assemble together, disperse, act 
in concert, and if they do not erect buildings, and do not work in common, 
it 1s, perhaps, for want of room only, and tranquillity; for men have 
very anciently multiplied in all the regions inhabited by the elephant; he 
consequently lives in fear and anxiety, and is no where a peaceful possessor 
of a space large and secure enough to establish his habitation on a settled 
spot. Every being in nature has his real price, and relative value; to judge 
of both in the elephant, we must allow him at least the judgment of the 
beaver, the dexterity of the monkey, the sentiment of the dog, and, to add 
to these qualifications, the peculiar advantages of strength, size, and longe- 
vity. We must not forget his arms, or his defence, with which he can pierce 
varough and conquer the lion. We must observe, that he shakes the ground 
at every step; that with his trunk he roots up trees; that with the strength 
1The genus Elephas, of which there are only two species, has two upper incisors or 
tusks ; four upper and four lower molars. Tusks slightly arched towards their extremity, 
composed of ivory cased ina crust of enamel; molars composed of vertical and trars- 
verse laminze covered by enamel ; five toes on all the feet; nose elongated into a cylinari- 
cal proboscis, moveable in all directions, with a moveable appendix at the termination, 
serving the purpose of a finger; head very large; neck short; eyes small, lateral; ears 
extremely flat and very large; body large ard massive; tail short, tufted at the end; twa 
mamme. 
