The menageries : quadrupeds, described and drawn from living subjects.

Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The menageries : quadrupeds, described and drawn from living subjects. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    inclined plane, upon which her friends might safely reach the ground. It has been stated to us that this elephant, when first brought out upon the stage ot the Adelphi, would not be led to any particular point, till she had carefully tried the strength of the boards upon which she trod, thrusting her trunk upon every suspicious spot, and slowly and hesitatingly placing her feet in advance, before she moved her body forward. A remarkable example of this instinct is mentioned by a writer who had opportunities of observing the elephants of India:—“ An elephant belonging to Mr. Boddam, of the Bengal civil service at Gyah, used every day to pass over a small bridge, leading from his master’s house into the town of Gyah. He one day refused to go over it, and it was with great difficulty, by goring him most cruelly with the hawkuss (an iron instrument), that the 7110/10111 (driver) could get him to venture on the bridge, the strength of which he first tried with his trunk, shewing clearly that he suspected that it was not sufficiently strong. At last he went on, and before he could get over, the bridge gave way, and they were precipitated into the ditch, which killed the driver, and considerably injured the elephant*.” This instinct which the elephant possesses of trying the strength of any construction, whether natural or artificial, which it is necessary for him to cross, is particularly worthy of observation. When the enor- mous weight of a full-grown elephant is considered, it must be obvious, that if the creature were rashly to place his body upon any frail support his danger would be extreme. His caution, therefore, in avoid- ing such an evil is constantly exercised; and the power- ful as well as delicate instrument of touch which he possesses enables him always to be convinced of his * Johnson’s Indian Field Sports, p. 56.