, and the elephants obeyed;
but the timber was so large, and the truck so high on its wheels, that
the elephants could not put the timber in the truck according to the
directions given by the men. After several attempts, the natives gave
up the point, and retiring to the side of the road as usual, squatted
down, and held a consultation. In the meantime, the elephant who took
the lead summoned the others, made them drag two of the squared pieces
to the side of the truck, laid them at right angles with it, lifting one
end of each on the truck, and leaving the other on the ground, thus
forming the inclined plane. The timber was then brought by the
elephants, without any interference on the part of the keepers or
natives, who remained looking on, was pushed by the elephants with their
foreheads up the inclined plane, and the truck was loaded. Here then is
an instance in which the inventive instinct of the animal--if that term
may be used--was superior to the humbler reasoning powers of the men who
had charge of them.

That animals have the powers of memory as well as man, admits of no
dispute. In elephants, horses, and dogs, we have hourly instances of
it: but it descends much lower down--the piping bullfinch, who has been
taught to whistle two or three waltzes in perfect concord, must have a
good memory, or he would soon forget his notes. To detail instances of
memory would therefore be superfluous; but, as it does occur to me while
I write, I must give an amusing instance how the memory of a good
thrashing overcame the ruling passion of a monkey, which is gluttony,
the first and only instance that I ever saw it conquered.

I had on board a ship which I commanded, a very large Cape baboon, who
was a pet of mine, and also a little boy, who was a son of mine. When
the baboon sat down on his hams, he was about as tall as the boy was
when he walked. The boy having tolerable appetite, received about noon
a considerable slice of bread and butter, to keep him quiet till
dinner-time. I was on one of the carronades, busy with the sun's lower
limb, bringing it in contact with the horizon, when the boy's lower
limbs brought him in contact with the baboon, who having, as well as the
boy, a strong predilection for bread and butter, and a stronger arm to
take it withal, thought proper to help himself to that to which the boy
had been already helped. In short, he snatched the bread and butter,
and made short work of it, for it