scovered how comfortable
it was, and under pretense of sharing the accommodation, at length
nightly pushed Auguste off, and stretched his own huge carcass upon the
mattress.

Constant differences between the Asiatic and African elephants have
established them into separate species. The enamel of the grinders is so
placed in the latter, as to form lozenges; and in the former,
parallel-fluted ribbons. The ears of the African animal are much larger,
and the shape of his forehead is more convex. Although it was from this
country that the Romans obtained all their clever, well-trained
elephants, the natives now never think of making them useful. Connected
with this, I was once much amused by the proposal, seriously suggested,
that if we English would go among the savage tribes of Africa, and tame
some of their elephants, they would be so convinced of our superiority,
that they would, without hesitation, submit to our dominion. This came
from a learned king's counsel, and was seriously uttered to one of his
Majesty's government, without exciting surprise in any but my
experienced self. In our human impatience we are apt to think the
progress we so much desire, comes slowly; but _could_ such an idea be
_now_ entertained?

A curious propensity in the Indian elephant has been repeatedly noticed.
I mean the separation of a male elephant from all his companions, in
order to lead a solitary existence. I am rather of opinion with some of
the natives, that he has been turned away by them for his own misdeeds;
but I know not if this will equally apply to the raccoon, the only other
animal, I believe, concerning whom the same habit is recorded. At all
events, the hermit elephant is particularly fierce and mischievous; and
it becomes a matter of policy, or even necessity, to catch him. The
Indians hunt him down, accompanied by two trained female elephants, who
draw near to him as if unconscious of his presence, and begin to eat the
surrounding food as a matter of course. If he join them, they lavish
their caresses upon him, and while he is returning their blandishments,
the hunters creep softly to his feet, and having tied them together,
fasten him to a tree, or let him go loose, with merely the shackles
round all his legs. Of course he is in a dreadful rage, especially when
the females desert him; but hunger, thirst, and ineffectual struggles,
at last subdue him; he is led away, and generally trained; but if his
violent efforts shoul