£16 GREAT ELEPHANT. 



dog excepted) ; and that, when in a state of do- 

 mestication, they may be taught to perform many 

 operations, requiring not only strength but skill 

 in their execution. It appears, from the most 

 authentic information, that they are highly at- 

 tached to those who have them under their care : 

 that they are grateful for attentions shewn them, 

 and mindful of any injury received ; which they 

 generally find some means of retaliating. Some 

 elegant anecdotes of this kind are related by 

 Pliny; and the laborious Aldrovandus has col- 

 lected many others. Mr. Pennant has admitted 

 some into his History of Quadrupeds. The cele- 

 brated story of the taylor of Delli is a remarkable 

 example of the Elephant's sagacity. In that city 

 an Elephant, passing along the streets, put his 

 trunk into a taylor's shop, where several people 

 were at work : one of them pricked the end of the 

 trunk with his needle: the Elephant passed on; 

 but, in the first dirty puddle, filled his trunk with 

 the water, and returning, squirted every drop 

 among the people who had offended him, and 

 spoiled the rich garments they were at work upon. 



It is said that Elephants have been taught to 

 lade vessels with goods, which they have stowed 

 in proper order, and with much address. 



The Indian Elephants, but more especially those 

 of the island of Ceylon, excel the African Ele- 

 phants in size and strength. Those of India are 

 said to carry with ease three or four thousand 

 weight. In a state of nature they use the tusks 

 for tearing up trees, and the trunk for breaking 



