ers, who, with
one consent, resolved to suffer it to continue its singular actions
unmolested. Its exertions appeared to be greater every moment; it shook
its head, leapt about, and exhibited signs of the most ecstatic delight.
It was observed that in proportion to the gradations of the tones to the
soft point, the feelings of the animal appeared to be increased. After
performing actions, which an animal so diminutive would, at first sight,
seem incapable of, the little creature, to the astonishment of the
delighted spectators, suddenly ceased to move, fell down, and expired
without evincing any symptoms of pain."

ELEPHANTS.

The extraordinary thickness of skin which distinguishes certain animals,
has induced naturalists to group them together, and call them
Pachydermata. This group is again divided according to the still further
peculiarities which some of them possess; and in the first subdivision
are elephants; distinguished by an enormous prolongation of the upper
lip and nose, into what is termed a trunk, or proboscis. The largest
animals in the world are to be found among them; and according to some,
they are the most sagacious. There is, however, a strong inclination in
many to give the dog the highest place next to man, with regard to
intellect.

The trunk of which I have just spoken, is formed of numbers of muscular
fibres, amounting to at least 40,000, which take various directions, and
cross each other in so many ways, that the whole forms one of the most
flexible organs that can be conceived. It can be contracted, raised,
depressed, curved, turned, or twisted round any object at the will of
its possessor; and can lay hold of, and pick up the most minute and the
thinnest substance, aided in such instances by the prolongation of its
upper edge into what is called a finger, which protects the nostrils,
and acts as a feeler. This trunk serves as a reservoir for holding
liquid, which can be put into the mouth at pleasure, by inserting the
end between the jaws; or for retaining it as long as may be wished, when
it is discharged over any object which the elephant desires to inundate.
He occasionally pours it upon his own body, thereby not only cooling and
refreshing himself, but getting rid of the numerous insects which lodge
themselves in his hide. The trumpet-like noise, for which elephants are
remarkable, proceeds from their trunk, and it serves in other ways to
express their feelings, for with it th