!2J THE ELEPHANT. 



and is through its whole length divided by a con- 

 tinuation of the septum. At the lower end it is fur- 

 nished with a kind of moveable finger, that seems 

 to divide its aperture into two parts. It is so strong 

 as to be capable of breaking off large branches from 

 trees. Through this the animal smells and breathes; 

 and it is possessed of such exquisite sensibility that 

 he can pick up with it almost the smallest bodies 

 from the ground. By means of this the Elephant 

 conveys the food to its mouth ; which is situated so 

 much in the under part of its head, as to seem almost 

 a part of the breast. The sense of smelling he en- 

 joys in great perfection ; and v^hen a number of peo- 

 ple are standing around him, he will discover food in 

 the pocket of any one, and take it out by means of 

 his trunk with great dexterity *. With this he can 

 untie the knots of ropes, and open and shut gates by 

 turning the keys or pushing back the bolts. It is^ 

 in short, as complete an instrument as nature 

 has bestowed on even her most favorite produc- 

 tions 'jf. 



The skin of tliis anim.al, where it is not callous, 

 is extremely sensible. In the fissures and other 

 places where it is moist and soft, he feels the sting- 

 ing of flies in such a lively manner, that he not 



• Church. 

 t Elephants aie taid to be exceedingly afiaid of Mice, lest Ihey 

 slieuld get tluough the tiuiik into their lungs, and duis stiiie thera': 

 and, therefore, sleep with the end cf the proboscis so close to the 



gjoiind, that nothing but air can get in between. Jiaj/'s Wisdo.'fi 



»fCfod hi the Wifkn of//ic 'Crattioii, p. SSI. 



