200 
THE ELEPHANT. 
wonderful instruments that Nature has be- 
stowed on any of her creatures, being little in' 
ferior in flexibility and utility even to the hand 
of man. This organ, composed of a number 
of flexible rings, forms a double tube, ending 
in a circular tip, somewhat flattened, and fur- 
nished with a projecting point or fleshy move- 
able hook, like a finger, of exquisite sensibility? 
and so pliable that by means of it the aniinni 
can pick up almost the smallest objects from 
the ground. This trunk is the principal organ 
of breathing to the elephant, terminating in 
two orifices which are the nostrils : by mean^ 
of it he supplies himself with food and drink? 
laying hold of the one and sucking up thn 
other with this tube and conveying it to hi® 
mouth. The feet terminate in five rounded 
toes ; the tail is of moderate length ; tipped 
by a few scattered hairs, very thick, and of n 
black colour. The general colour of the skin 
is a dusky or blackish brown; but in soinn 
