THE ELEPHANT. 



and fmells ; in Ihort, it may be confidered as a long extended nofe, larger! 

 near the head, and gradually tapering to the extremity, where it is furnilhed 

 with a kind of moveable finger, which feems to divide the opening into two 

 parts, or fometimes almoft entirely to clofe it up. It is pofTefTed of exquifite 

 fenfibility, and capable of taking up the fmallell bodies from the ground ; 

 this part is fo neceffary to the well-being of the Elephant, that, without it, 

 it could not exift, or convey any nourifhment to its mouth, which is fituated 

 at the under part of the head, and feems rather joined to the breaft than the 

 head. It enjoys the fenfe of fmelling in high perfection, and will inftantly 

 difcover food in the pocket of any one near it, and take it out with its trunk 

 with great dexterity. The ears are very long, large, and thick ; the eyes 

 fmall in proportion to the fize of the head, and the tongue is fmaller than 

 might be expected. 



This animal has only four grinders in each jaw; in the upper jaw are two 

 vail tulks, which point forwards and bend upwards ; the larger! imported into 

 England are feven feet long, and weigh 152 pounds each ; they are of a very 

 hard and firm contexture, well known by the name of ivory, and greatly 

 ufed by different artificers. The back of the Elephant is much arched ; the 

 legs are thick, and appear like vail pillars ; the feet are not divided, but, at the 

 extremities, they terminate in five round hoofs ; the tail refembles that of a 

 Hog. The general colour of the animal is dufky, which varies to black, and 

 fometimes white, and even Ipotted ; but thefe are erleemed great rarities. The 

 Ikin is very thick and hard, and, when well drelfed, is proof againfi: a mufket 

 ball : it appears all over chapped and cracked, like the bark of an oak, with a 

 few black hairs very thinly fcattered on it. The voice of the Elephant is a 

 hollow kind of roar, which is eafily excited by attempting to take hold of the 

 trunk, of which it is very jealous, as if confcious that its well-being entirely 

 depends on the prefervation of that ufeful organ ; when it is much provoked, 

 its roaring is tremendoully dreadful, as may well be imagined from the 

 enormous bulk of the animal. 



Although the general appearance of the Elephant does not promife great 

 alertnefs in its actions, or iwiftnefs in its paces, yet it performs all its motions 

 with great eafe and velocity. Its uiual pace is flow and circumfpect, though 



