Chap. IV. J 
THE ELEPHANT. 
149 
habit contracted during the length of a voyage by sea 1 , 
or from an instinctive impulse to substitute a motion of 
this kind in lieu of their wonted exercise ; but this sup- 
position is erroneous ; the propensity being equally 
displayed by those at liberty and those in captivity. 
When surprised by sportsmen in the depths of the jungle, 
individuals of a herd are always occupied in swinging 
their limbs in this manner; and in the several corrals 
which I have seen, where whole herds have been captured, 
the elephants in the midst of the utmost excitement, and 
even after the most vigorous charges, if they halted for 
a moment in stupor and exhaustion, manifested their 
wonted habit, and swung their limbs or swayed their 
bodies to and fro incessantly. So far from its being a 
substitute for exercise, those in the government employ- 
ment in Ceylon are observed to practise their acquired 
motion, whatever it may be, with increased vigour when 
thoroughly fatigued after excessive work. Even the 
favourite practice of fanning themselves with a leafy 
branch seems less an enjoyment in itself than a resource 
when listless and at rest. The term " fidgetty " seems 
to describe appropriately the temperament of the ele- 
phant. 
They evince the strongest love of retirement and a 
corresponding dislike to intrusion. The approach of a 
stranger is perceived less by the eye, the quickness of 
which is not remarkable (besides which its range is 
obscured by the foliage), than by sensitive smell and 
singular acuteness of hearing ; and the whole herd is 
put in instant but noiseless motion towards some deeper 
and more secure retreat. The effectual manner in 
1 Menageries, #c, " The Elephant," ch. i. p. 21. 
L 3 
