152 THE ELEPHANT. 



mentary torments endeavoured^ and in the end 

 effected, his cure *. 



In the last war, a young Elephant received a 

 violent Vv ound in its head ; the pain of which ren- 

 dered it so frantic and ungovernable, that it was 

 found impossible to persuade the animal to have the 

 part dressed. Whenever any one approached, it ran 

 off with fury, and would suffer no person to come 

 within several }ards of it. The man who had the 

 care of it, at length hit upon a contrivance for secur- 

 ing it. By a few words and signs he gave the mo- 

 ther of the animal sufficient intelligence of what was 

 wanted ; the sensible creature immediately seized 

 her young one willi her trunk, and held it firmly 

 down, though groaning with agony, while the sur- 

 geon completely dressed the wound : and she conti- 

 nued to perform this service every day till the ani^ 

 mal was perfectly recovered. 



In many parts of India, Elephants are made the 

 executioners of justice ; for, with their trunks, they 

 will break every limb of a criminal, trample him to 

 death, or tranfix him with their tusks, as they are 

 directed. 



In India^ they were once employed in the launch- 

 ing of ships. One was directed to force a very large 

 vessel into the water ; but the work proved superior 

 to his strength. His master, in a sarcastic tone, bid 

 the keeper take away this lazy beast, and bring 

 another. The poor animal instantly repeated his 



* D'OL'sonvillf^ 1(55. 



