352 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



liarity of the cheek-teeth before noticed also separates it, 

 and there is reason to think that three toes only of the 



sible of the serious consequences to Mr. Cross in a pecuniary point 

 of view, entreated him to reflect still further, and not to commit an 

 act of which he might hereafter repent. Mr. Cross assured him 

 that whatever irritation he might manifest, proceeded from his own 

 feelings of regard towards the elephant, heightened by a sense of 

 the loss that would ensue upon his purpose being effected ; adding, 

 that he had a firm conviction that unless the animal's death was 

 immediately accomplished, loss of human life must ensue. Mr. 

 GifFord replied, that he had never seen or complied more reluc- 

 tantly with his wish on any occasion, and he gave him four ounces 

 of arsenic. Mr. Cross declares that on his way back the conflict of 

 his feelings was so great at that moment, that he imagines no per- 

 son contemplating murder could endure greater agony. The ar- 

 senic was mixed with oats, and a quantity of sugar being added by 

 way of inducement, it was offered to the elephant as his ordinary 

 meal by his keeper. The sagacious animal wholly refused to 

 touch it. 



" His eyes now glared like lenses of glass reflecting a red and 

 burning light. In order to soothe him, some oranges, to which 

 fruit he had great liking, were repeatedly proffered ; but though 

 these were in a pure state, he took them, one after the other, as 

 they were presented to him, and dropping each on the floor of his 

 den instantly squelched it with his foot, and having thus disposed 

 of a few he refused to take another. This utter rejection of food, 

 with amazing increase of fury, heightened Mr. Cross's alarm. He 

 again went out, and in great agitation procured half an ounce of 

 corrosive sublimate to be mixed in a quantity of conserve of roses, 

 securely tied in a bladder, to prevent, if possible, any scent from 

 the poison, and with some hope that if the animal detected any ef- 

 fluvia through the air-tight skin it would be the odour of roses and 

 sugar, which were substances peculiarly grateful to him. The 

 elephant was accustomed to swallow several things lying about 

 within reach of his proboscis, which, if tendered to him, he would 

 have refused ; and this habit suggesting the possibility that he 

 might so dispose of this, which, it was quite certain, if presented 

 would have been rejected, the ball was placed so that he might 

 find it; but the instant he perceived it he seemed to detect the 

 purpose; he hastily seized it, and as hastily letting it fall, violently 

 smashed it with his foot. 



