ELEPHAKTV 
121 
elephant is the strongest, as well as the largest ; 
and yet , in a state of nature, it is neither fierce 
nor formidable. Mild, peaceful, and brave, it 
never abuses its power or its strength, and only 
uses its force for its own protection, or that of its 
community. In its native deserts,* the elephant is 
seldom seen alone, but appears to be a social, 
friendly creature. The oldest of the company 
conducts the band ; that which is next in seniority 
brings up the rear. The young, the weak, and 
the sickly, fall into the centre ; while the females 
carry their young, and keep them from failing 
by means of their trunks. They maintain this 
order only in dangerous marches, or when they 
desire to feed in cultivated grounds ; they move 
with less precaution in the forests and solitudes ; 
but without ever separating, or removing so far 
asunder as to be incapable of lending each other 
any requisite assistance. • Nothing can be more 
formidable than a drove of elephants as they appear 
at a distance in an African landscape ; wherever 
they march, the forests seem to fall before them ; 
in their passage, they bear down the branches 
upon which they feed ; and if they enter into an 
inclosure, they destroy all the labours of the hus- 
bandman in a very short time. Their invasions are 
the more disagreeable, as there is no means of re- 
pelling them ; since it would require a small army 
to attack the whole drove when united. It now ana 
then happens that one or two is found lingering be- 
hind the rest, and it is against these that the art and 
force of the hunters are united ; but an attempt 
to molest the whole body would certainly be fatal. 
They go forward directly against him who offers 
the insult, strike him with their tusks, seize him 
with their trunks, fling him into the air, and then 
trample him under their feet. But they are thus 
dreadful only when offended, and do no manner 
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