ELEPHANT. 
123 
often break through their fences, destroy thete 
whole harvest, and overturn their little habitations* 
When they have satisfied themselves, and trod 
down or devoured whatever lay in their way, they 
then retreat into the woods in the same orderly 
manner in which they made their irruption. 
Such are the habits of this animal considered 
in a social light ; and, if we regard it as an indivi- 
dual, we shall find its powers still more extraordi- 
nary. With a very aukward appearance, it pos- 
sesses all the senses in great perfection, and is 
capable of applying them to more useful purposes 
than any other quadruped. The elephant, as we 
observed, has very small eyes, when compared to 
the enormous bulk of its body- But though their 
minuteness may at first sight appear deformed,, 
yet, when we come to examine them, they are seen 
to exhibit a variety of expression, and to discover 
the various sensations with which it is moved. 
It turns them with attention and friendship to its 
master : it seems to reflect and deliberate ; and 
as its passions slowly succeed each other, their va- 
rious workings are distinctly seen. 
The elephant is not less remarkable for the ex- 
cellence of its hearing. Its ears are extremely 
large, and greater in proportion than even those 
of an ass. They are usually dependent ; but it 
can readily raise and move them. They serve also 
to wipe its eyes, and to protect them against the 
dust and flies that might otherwise incommode 
them. It appears delighted with music, and very 
readily learns to beat time, to move in measure, 
and even to join its voice to the sound of the drum 
and the trumpet. 
This animahs sense of smelling is not only ex- 
quisite, but it is in a great measure pleased with 
the same odours that delight mankind. The ele- 
phant gathers flowers with great pleasure and at- 
