ELEPHANT. 
125 
of this instrument, which, without doubt, contri- 
bute to the sensibility of the touch, as well as to 
the firmness of the hold. Through this trunk 
the animal breathes, drinks, and smells, as 
through a tube ; and at the very point of it, 
just above the nostrils, there is an extension of the 
skin, about five inches long, in the form of a 
finger, and which, in fact, answers all the pur- 
poses of one ; for, with the rest of the extremity 
of the trunk, it is capable of assuming different 
forms at will, and consequently of being adapted 
to the minutest objects. By means of this, the 
elephant can take a pin from the ground, untie 
the knots of a rope, unlock a door, and even 
write with a pen. “ I have myself seen/’ says 
/Elian, “ an elephant writing latin characters oh 
a board in a very orderly manner, his keeper only 
showing him the figure of each letter. While 
thus employed, the eyes might be observed stu- 
diously cast down upon [the writing, and exhi- 
biting an appearance of great skill and erudi- 
tion.” It sometimes happens that the object is too 
large for the trunk to grasp ; in such a case the 
elephant makes use of another expedient, as ad- 
mirable as any of the former. It applies the 
extremity of the trunk to the surface of the object^ 
and sucking up its breath, lifts and sustains such 
a weight as the air in that case is capable of keep- 
ing suspended. In this manner this instrument is 
useful in most of the purposes of life ; it is an or- 
gan of smelling, of touching, and of suction ; it not 
only provides for the animal’s necessities and 
comforts, but it also serves for its ornament and 
defence. 
But though the elephant be thus admirably 
supplied by its trunk, yet, with respect to the 
rest of its conformation, it is unwieldy and help- 
less. The neck is so short that it cau scarce turn 
