10b 
ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE. 
manifests an intelligence and dexterity which are surpricing to a 
stranger, because the sameness of the operation enables the 
animal to go on for hours disposing of log after log, almost 
without a hint or direction from his attendant. For example, 
two elephants employed in piling ebony and satin wood in the 
yards attached to the commissariat stores at Colombo, were so 
accustomed to their work, that they were able to accomplish 
it with equal precision and with greater rapidity than if it had 
been done by dock-labourers. When the pile attained a certain 
height, and they were uo longer able by their conjoint efforts 
to raise one of the heavy logs of ebony to the summit, they had 
been taught to lean two pieces against the heap, up the inclined 
plane of which they gently rolled the remaining logs, and 
placed them trimly on the top. 
It has been asserted that in their occupations ‘ elephants are 
to a surprising extent the creatures of habit,’ that their move- 
ments are altogether mechanical, and that ‘ they are annoyed 
by any deviation from their accustomed practice, and resent 
any constrained departure from the regularity of their course.’ 
So far as my own observation goes, this is incorrect ; and I am 
assured by officers of experience, that in regard to changing his 
treatment, his hours or his occupation, an elephant evinces no 
more consideration than a horse, but exhibits the same pliancy 
and facility. 
At one point, however, the utility of the elephant stops 
short. Such is the intelligence and earnestness he displays in 
work, which he seems to conduct almost without supervision, 
that it has been assumed that he would continue his labour, 
and accomplish his given task, as well in the absence of his 
keeper as during his presence. But here his innate love of 
ease displays itself, and if the eye of his attendant be withdrawn, 
the moment he has finished the thing immediately in hand, he 
will stroll away lazily, to browse or enjoy the luxury of fanning 
himself and blowing dust over his back. 
The means of punishing so powerful an animal is a question 
of difficulty to his attendants. Force being almost inapplicable, 
they try to work on his passions and feelings, by such ex- 
pedients as altering the nature of his food or withholding it 
altogether for a time. On such occasions the demeanour of the 
creature will sometimes evince a sense of humiliation as well 
as of discontent. In some parts of India it is customary, in 
dealing with offenders, to stop their allowance of sugar canes 
or of jaggery ; or to lestrain them from eating their own share 
of fodder and leaves till their companions shall have finished \ 
