OF NATURAL HISTORY. 44,3 



cumference at the bafe. It Is a large flefliy tube, divided through 

 its whole extent by a feptum or partition. It is capable of motion 

 in every diredion. The animal can fliorten or lengthen it at plea- 

 fure. It anfwers every purpofe of a hand ; for it grafps large objedls 

 with great force, and its extremity can lay hold of a fixpence, or 

 even of a pin. The trunk of the elephant affords him the fame 

 means of addrefs as the ape. It ferves the purpofes of an arm and 

 a hand. By this inftrument, the elephant conveys large or fmall 

 bodies to his mouth, places them on his back, embraces them faft, 

 or throws them forcibly to a diftance. In a ftate of nature and per- 

 fe<3: freedom, the difpofitlons of the elephant are neither fanguinary 

 nor ferocious. They are gentle creatures, and never exert their 

 ftrength, or employ their weapons, but in defending themfelves or 

 proteding their companions. Even when deprived of the inftruc- 

 . tion of men, they poffefs the fagacity of the beaver, the addrefs of 

 the ape, and the acutenefs of the dog. To thefe mental talents are 

 added the advantages of amazing bodily ftrength, and the experience 

 and knowledge he acquires by living at leafl; two centuries. With 

 his trunk he tears up trees. By a pufti of his body he makes a breach 

 in a wall. To this prodigious ftrength he adds courage, prudence, 

 and coolnefs of deportment. As he never makes an attack but 

 when he receives an injury, he is univerfally beloved ; and all ani- 

 mals refped, becaufe none have any reafon to fear him. In all ages, 

 men have entertained a veneration for this moft magnificent and fa- 

 gacious of terreftrial creatures. The ancients regarded him as a mi- 

 racle of Nature, and he is, in reality, one of her greateft efforts. But 

 they have greatly exaggerated his faculties. Without hefitation, they 

 have afcribed to him high intelledual powers and moral virtues. 

 Pliny, ^lian, Plutarch, and other authors of a more modern date, 

 have beftowed on the elephant not only rational manners, but an in- 

 nate religion, a kind of daily adoration of the fun and moon, the ufe 

 of ablution before worftiip, a fpirit of divination, piety toward hea- 



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