THE ELEPHANT. 
207 
'''ithout danger. He was fed with bundles of 
Srass, which were put into his mouth ; and, 
^ad he been in a state of nature, he must 
^lave perished. 
If the elephant rarely uses his trunk as a 
'''eapon. Nature has given him formidable 
^^aeans of offence and defence against his ene- 
hiies. His tusks enable him not only to clear 
^is way through the thick forests which he in- 
habits by rooting up small trees and tearing 
^own cross branches, in rendering which ser- 
^'ice they effectually protect his face and pro- 
boscis from injury ; but they qualify him to 
^ard off the attacks of the wily tiger and the 
Various rhinoceros, often securing him the vic- 
^ory by one blow, which transfixes the assail- 
^at to the earth. 
It might be supposed that the voice of so 
^arge and powerful an animal would be of cor- 
responding depth and loudness ; but a shrill 
'Teak cry is his usual note of fear or surprise. 
