228 
THE ELEPHANT. 
mals always apply their strength in the most 
efficacious manner, either in pushing the guns 
with their foreheads, or lifting them up with 
their trunks, when the wheels have sunk into 
a deep rut or slough. They seem to possess 
an instinctive knowledge of the power of the 
lever, which they apply in pulling down trees 
that have been partly felled, or in breaking 
branches for their food. This latter process 
they effect by taking one end of the branch io 
their trunk, laying the other on the ground; 
and applying their foot to the intermediate part- 
“ Many instances of the manner in wdiich 
they express the passions of hatred and love, 
of revenge and gratitude, are recorded. On^ 
example of their sagacity was related to 
by an officer of artillery who witnessed tb^ 
transaction. The battering train going 
Seringapatam had to cross the sandy bed of ^ 
river, that resembled other rivers of the P®' 
ninsula, which have, during the dry season^ 
