ELEPHANTS. 263 



in the summer of 1846, and he had not lain down to rest for two 

 years previously. Certainly he was suffering from a disease of 

 the joint of the fore-leg, but it proves how little necessity there 

 is for elephants to assume such a position of rest. In fact, so 

 little are they inclined to take it in that way, that when they do 

 so in the day-time, even after hard labour, the keepers are 

 generally led to suspect illness as the cause. 



In lying down, which it does rather reluctantly when com- 

 manded, another peculiarity of the elephant is exhibited. It 

 extends the hind-legs backwards instead of drawing them under 

 the body like other animals. These legs are bent in the same 

 manner that a man bends his legs when kneeling. The reversal 

 of this action enables it to resume the standing position with 

 little perceptible effort, much less than that exhibited by a 

 horse trying to get up ; similar exertion if rendered necessary 

 in the case of such a heavy weighing animal as the elephant, 

 would subject the muscles to a dangerous straining. This 

 same formation gives the elephant that peculiar, clumsy shuffle 

 its gaifc exhibits when increased from the walk, and although it 

 cannot gallop — such a motion would be too violent for so huge 

 a creature — yet it can increase its speed to one that will tax a 

 fleet runner to keep up with it. An elephant can also easily ascend 

 or descend steep aclivities, climb rocks, or traverse precipices 

 where a mule would hardly venture ; this it is enabled to do by 

 exercising considerable intelligence in testing the capacity of the 

 ground or projection on which it intends the feet to rest for bear- 

 ing its weight, making sure upon this point before trusting to it. 

 We learn that the Ceylon elephant actually delights in frequenting 

 the most rugged localities, rambhng about rocky hills and moun- 

 tains with a nimbleness that, Sir S. Baker says, cannot be under- 

 stood without personal experience. 



The feet are composed of a succession of layers that act like 

 springs and so break the jar of the animal's tread, and when 

 travelling at any speed prevent the concussion it would otherwise 

 sustain from the' great weight of the body. They are divided 

 into five large toes or rounded hoofs, all nearly covered with 

 a thick protective skin, the whole being admirably adapted 



