l60 THE ELEPHANT. 



Other hand, they industriously seek out the larger 

 rivers, which they swim over with great ease. For, 

 notwithstanding that the Elephant, from the form of 

 liis feet and the position of his limbs, does not seera 

 to be adapted for swimming, (when he is out of his 

 depth in the water, his body and head being entirely 

 sunk under the surface ;) yet he is in less danger of 

 being- drowned than many other land animals, as he 

 carries his long trunk raised above the surface of 

 the water in order to breathe, and can steer his 

 course in it by means of this appendage. It has 

 consequently been observed^ that when several Ele- 

 phants have swum over a river at the same time, 

 they have all found the way very well ; and have 

 been able also to avoid running foul of each other, 

 though their heads and eyes have been all the while 

 under water. 



These animals are said to be kept in many parts 

 of India, more for shew and grandeur than for use. 

 And their keeping is attended with very great ex- 

 pence ; for they devour vast quantities of provision, 

 and must sometimes be regaled with a plenti- 

 ful repast of cinnamon, of which they are exceed- 

 ingly fond. It is said to be no uncommon thing 

 for a nabob, if he wishes to ruin a private gentle- 

 man, to make him a present of an Elephant ; which 

 lie is afterwards obliged to maintain at a greater 

 expence than he can afford. By parting with it he 

 would certainly fall under the displeasure of the 

 grandee ; besides forfeiting all the honour which 

 liis countrymen think is conferred upon him, by so 

 respectable a present. 



