MAMMALIA—ELEPHANT. 283 
sters of war; they opened their ranks to let them go though; they did not 
attempt to wound them, but threw all their darts against their leaders, who 
-were forced to surrender, and to calm the elephants when separated from 
their troops; and now that fire is become the element of war, and the prin- 
cipal instrument of death, the elephants, who are afraid of the noise and the 
fire of the artillery, would be rather an incumbrance in battle, and more 
dangerous than useful. 
ee 
GEN 
‘ 

In those regions, however, where our cannons and murdering arts are 
yet scarcely known, they fight still with elephants, At Cochin, and in parts 
of Malabar, they do not make use.of horses, and all those who do not fight 
on foot are mounted upon elephants. In Tonquin, Siam, and Pegu, the 
king, and all the grandees, never ride but upon elephants. On festival days 
they are preceded and followed by a great number of these animals richly 
