THE ELEPHANT. 
205 
^11 these expedients fail, he collects dust with 
^ds proboscis, and sprinkles it over the most 
^^nder parts of his body. He has been ob- 
served to dust himself in this manner several 
dmes a day, especially after bathing. 
The elephant swims with ease, and crosses 
'■de largest rivers as well as the smallest 
brooks in quest of food. It is a matter of in- 
difference to him that his body is completely 
'^mersed in water, for, as long as he can raise 
die tip of his trunk to the surface, so as to 
^teathe the external air, he sustains no incon- 
venience. Whole troops of them will thus 
eross rivers and straits, the largest male ele- 
l^dants leading the way. When they arrive at 
I'iie opposite shore, they try whether the land- 
place is good ; if so, they make a signal 
'vith their trunk ; some more of the old ele- 
I'dants then swim across, the young following, 
^ith their trunks locked together, and the 
Vest of the old ones bring up the rear. 
