216 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 Elephants sagacity. In that city 
an Elephant, passing along the streets, put his 
trunk into a ta34or 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 
