THE ELEPHANT. 
6 
forehead convex instead of concave, but the projection is caused { 
by the nasal bones, which are higher placed than in the Indian ( 
species, and the true front is, in reality, concave in the African, ( 
but in a less degree than in the Indian. The chief external I 
character of the African elephant is his huge ears, which descend [ 
to his legs. 
The elephant has small eyes, compared with his prodigious ( 
size, but they are sensible and lively, and manifest a pathetic, ( 
sentimental expression. He is reflective and deliberative, and 
never acts or moves until he has carefully observed the signs that [ 
he is to obey. When tamed, he is the most tractable and sub- [ 
missive of all quadrupeds, and evinces great affection for his I 
keeper. He has a tenacious memory, always remembers a kind- j 
ness, but never forgets or forgives an injury or a practical joke, f 
He has a quick ear, and a very acute sense of smell, which is ! 
more marked in him than in any other animal. He delights in j 
music, learns to keep good time, and moves in cadence to it. 
His sense of feeling is particularly sensitive, and centres in his f 
trunk, which is composed of membranes, nerves and muscles ; — 
he can not only move or bend it, but can shorten, lengthen, and 
turn it in ever conceivable shape. The extremity of this trunk j 
terminates by an edge, which projects above, like a finger, and i 
with which he can pick from the ground the smallest piece of | 
money ; he can gather flowers, and exhibits a fine discrimination [ 
in choosing them; unties knots and unlocks doors — in short, this j 
sagacious animal can be taught to do almost anything. 
The ordinary walk of the elephant is not quicker than that of ( 
a horse ; but when pushed, he assumes a kind of ambling pace, f 
which in fleetness is equal to a gallop. He goes forward with 
great ease and celerity, but it is with great difficulty that he turns j 
himself round, and that not without taking a pretty large circuit, j 
He swims well, and is of much use in carrying baggage over large | 
rivers. When swimming, he raises his trunk above the surface of I 
the water for the purpose of respiration, every other part of his 
body being below. In this manner several of these animals swim | 
together, and steer their course without danger of running foul j 
of each other. ! 
