42 
IVILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA VS 
CHAP. 
sands, as it appears to have lost the confidence 
resulting from an independent freedom among the 
jungles, and marshy valleys teeming with aquatic 
vegetation. It will also refuse to cross a bridge 
unless of solid masonry, and it is curious to observe 
the extreme care with which it sounds the structure, 
either by striking with the coiled extremity of the 
trunk or by experimenting with the pressure of one 
foot, before it ventures to trust its whole weight 
upon the suspected floor. 
It is difficult to describe the limit of an elephant’s 
swimming powers; this must depend upon many 
circumstances, whether it is following the stream or 
otherwise, but the animal can remain afloat for 
several hours without undue fatigue. The displace¬ 
ment of an elephant’s carcase is less than the weight 
of water, although it swims so deeply immersed that 
it would appear to float with difficulty. An elephant 
shot dead within the water will float immediately, 
with a considerable portion of one flank raised so 
high above the surface that several men could be 
supported, as though upon a raft. The body of a 
hippopotamus will sink like a stone, and will not re¬ 
appear upon the surface for about two hours, until 
the gas has to a certain degree distended the car¬ 
case : thus the hippopotamus is of a denser and 
heavier material than the elephant, although it is an 
aquatic animal. 
When tame elephants cross a river they are con¬ 
ducted by their drivers, who stand upon their backs, 
either balancing themselves without assistance, or 
