jury, but search for every opportunity of revenge. As they are probably endowed with a more exquisite sensation of smell than any other animal, owing to the great extent of their nose, they can scent a man at a very great distance, and trace him by his footsteps. Elephants are peculiarly fond of the banks of rivers, deep valleys, and marshy grounds, especially when well shaded with trees. They delight in drawing up water into their trunks, even when they do not drink it, and amuse themselves in dashing it around. They cannot endure cold, and are equally averse to heat. To avoid the scorching sun, they retire to the thickest and most shady parts of the forest. The bulk of their bodies is so enormous, that they do not choose to go into deep waters so frequently as some other quadrupeds; although the length of their trunk, which they can raise straight up to respire, is a great advantage in swimming. Their ordinary food is roots, herbs, leaves, the tender branches of trees, fruits, and grains; but they abhor flesh or fish. As they devour a large quantity of food in a short time, they often shift their pasture; when they meet with cultivated grounds, they make a prodigious desolation, and destroy more plants by their feet than they use for nourishment; which last is very considerable, amounting to 150 pounds of herbage every day: by this means, as they constantly graze in large troops, they lay waste whole fields in an hour. The Indians and negroes employ every art to prevent them from visiting their cultivated lands, making great noises, and burning large fires round their fields. However, these precautions are not always sufficient to prevent the elephants from visiting them. They chase away the domestic animals, put the men to flight, and sometimes even throw down their habitations. Elephants are hardly susceptible of fear: the only method to stop their course is by fire or fireworks, the effects of which being sudden and quickly repeated, the elephants frequently turn back; and, when one runs, all the rest instantly follow him.

In Ceylon, where these noble animals principally abound, a considerable trade is carried on in live elephants. They are caught in various spares, and then exported to different parts of India, where they fetch a considerable price. 'At Gannither.é,' says Dr. Davy, in his interesting work on Ceylon, close to the foot of the mountain, we went off the road about half a mile over paddy-fields, to visit an elephant snare, situated in a narrow part of the valley. The snare is merely a square space of small dimensions surrounded by strong palisades, having a tree in the middle and one narrow entrance. The manner in which elephants are here taken is very simple. The wild animals are first driven to Kandy, and then, if approved of, to this place. When an elephant enters the enclosure, he is fastened to the tree by means of a noose, and his feet are properly secured by strong ropes. From the enclosure he is led to an adjoining spot; a shed is built over him; his feet are tied firmly to the trees, and he is not allowed to lie down. We found six elephants in progress of tamingtheir limbs more or less shackled, according to the subjugation effected. They were all ex

tremely lean, and miserable objects to look at. More than half of those caught, die during their confinement: they seem to pine for the lost blessing of liberty; they refuse to eat, and generally die of starvation. If they can be prevailed on to take food, the difficulty of the task is got over, and they are soon tamed. Great as the mortality is in this instance, it is small in proportion to that which takes place in a large snare, such as is used in the low country.'

Our author then refers to the following account of the large snare used in the low and maritime countries, in Mr. Cordiner's Travels in Ceylon. The hunt alluded to took place near the elephant snare at Kotaway, only a few miles distant from Tengalle. The governor and his suite attended on this occasion, and the whole of the party employed was not fewer than 3000 persons. The whole of this multitude surrounded the forests in which elephants are discovered to abound, with a chain of fires placed on moveable stands, so as to be brought closer, according as the elephants are driven nearer to the centre. The distance between the fires may at first have been 100 paces, which is gradually reduced to about ten paces. The more the elephants are confined, the more vigilant the hunters must become, and prepared to repel their efforts to escape, by advancing the fires, and by loud shouting. At the end of two months, they thus become enclosed in a circle, of which the wide entrance of the snare forms a part, and are at last brought so near to it, that, by the exertions of the surrounding multitude, they can be made close prisoners in a few hours. It is now that all those who are desirous of witnessing the capture resort to the scene of action.

An idea of the enclosure may be formed by drawing, on a piece of paper, the outline of a wide funnel. A little way within the wide end, a palisade runs across, in breadth 600 feet, containing four open gates, at which the elephants enter. A view of two of these is commanded from a bungaloe, erected for spectators on pillars thirty feet from the ground. The enclosure is formed of the strongest trees on the island, from eight to ten inches in diameter, bending inwards, sunk four feet into the ground, and from sixteen to twenty feet high above it. They are placed at the distance of sixteen inches from each other, and crossed by four rows of powerful beams, bound fast to them with pliant canes. To this palisade are added supporters more inclined, several feet asunder, augmenting the strength of the fence. The part of it in which the elephants are first enclosed is 1800 feet in circumference: but it communicates with a smaller fold, 100 feet in length, and forty broad, through which a rivulet passes, five feet in depth, and nearly fills the enclosure. The elephants enter this place of confinement at only one gate; and beyond the water the fence gradually contracts, terminating in a strong passage, five feet broad, and 100 feet long.

When the first enclosure is completely stocked, the four gates are closed and secured with strong stakes. Then another chain of fires and torches is formed within the enclosure, and the persecuted animals are driven forward in like manner into the smaller fold.

At sunrise,' continues Mr. Cordiner, we became spectators of a most extraordinary sight. So great a number of enormous animals crowded into so small a compass, is a spectacle rarely to be seen. Pressing heavily upon one another, incapable of almost any movement but convulsions of distress, their paroxysms of anguish could not be contemplated without emotion. No person could find language to express his feelings. All were struck dumb with a species of astonishment hitherto unexperienced. The most hazardous part of the business remains, that of seizing on the elephants at the end of the long passage, which is the only outlet from the water snare. They are driven in one by one, making furious efforts to regain their liberty on finding themselves prisoners. When they reach the gate at the end, strong beams are inserted across the passage behind, to prevent them from retreating. Men then approach, and bind their hind legs with great ropes, and five or six turns of smaller cordage are passed round their necks. While these operations are going on, a man stands before the gate of the passage, tickling the elephant's trunk, and diverting his attention. In this manner they are secured, yet accidents frequently happen at this time. On the present occasion, one unfortunate man tumbled into the passage, and was instantly trampled to death under the feet of an enraged elephant. They frequently press against one another in the water snare and the passage with so much violence, that some are squeezed to death, or drop down dead with fatigue.'

When the wild elepnant is completely natnessed, two tame elephants, trained to the business, are brought to the gate, and placed one on each side of it. These immediately survey the prisoner whom they have to conduct, feel his mouth to know whether or not he has tusks, and lay hold of his proboscis to ascertain what degree of resistance he is likely to make. Ropes are passed through the collar of the wild elephant, and made fast to similar collars on each side of the tame ones. The bars of the gate are then unloosed, and drawn out; and the wild captive darts forward directly between the two tame elephants: he can, however, only advance a little way, as the ropes securing his hind legs still continue fastened to the strong stakes of the toil. In this situation he remains, until the riders mounted on the tame elephants have drawn tight the cords, which bind him to the necks of his half-reasoning conductors.

During this operation, he endeavours to undo with his trunk some of the knots which have been made, and often attempts to give a destructive blow to the diminutive creatures so actively engaged in confirming his captivity. But the two tame animals, who are vigilantly observant of all his motions, never fail to prevent him from doing any mischief, by gently lowering his proboscis with their own: if he continue long refractory, they batter him with their heads, and at last produce the most obsequious submission. The nooses of the ropes are then opened, leaving his hind legs at freedom, and himself entirely d.sengaged from the snare. The two tame elephants press close on each side of him, and pro

ceed, in pompous procession, to the garden of stalls, where they deliver up their charge to experience another species of hardships. The marching off of this venerable trio is a sight truly magnificent, and exhibits a noble specimen of the skill of man, united with the sagacity of the elephant.

In this manner the prisoner is conducted to a grove, where, if he is of an ordinary size, he is sufficiently secured by being placed lengthwise between two trees, to one of which his hind legs are bound, and one of his fore legs to the other. A more complicated apparatus of ropes and stakes is necessary for those which are remarkable for strength and fury. The tame conductors then move away to secure another captive. An elephant may frequently be tamed in eight or ten days, though in other instances, months are required. When tamed, they are marched round to Jaffnapatam, there sold by public auction, and thence exported to the opposite continent.

He

The elephant, when tamed, is the most friendly and obedient of all animals: he is entirely attached to the person who feeds and takes care of him. In a short time he understands signs, and the sound of his master's voice. He distinguishes the language of passion, of command, of satisfaction, and acts accordingly. He receives his orders with attention, and executes them with alacrity, but without precipitation. easily learns to bow his knees and lower his body, for the convenience of those who mount him He lifts burdens with his trunk, and assists those who are loading him in laying then on is pack. He delights in smning narness and trappings. When yoked in a cart or waggou, ne pulls equally and cheerfully, unless he be abused by injudicious chastisements. His guide is generally mounted on his neck, with a small rod of iron, sharp at the point, in his hand; he directs his motion by pricking him on the ears and head; but for the most part a word is sufficient. A tame elephant will do more labor than six horses, but he requires a proportional quantity of food. They are the principal beasts of burden in many parts of Africa and the East Indies. They carry sacks and bundles of all kinds on their necks, backs, and tusks. They seldom lose or damage any thing committed to their care: they will stand on the edge of a river, take bundles off their necks and tusks, lay them carefully in a boat wherever they are desired, and try with their trunk whether they are properly situated; if they be loaded with casks they go in quest of stones to prop them and prevent them from rolling. When the elephant is properly managed he lives very long, even in a state of slavery and labor. That some have lived in this state 130 years is pretty well authenticated. a natural state they often exceed 200 years, and propagate their species till they are 120: It is thirty years before they come to their full growth. The elephants inhabit India, and some of its greater islands, Cochin China, and some of the provinces of China. They abound in the southern parts of Africa, from the river Senegal to the Cape; and from thence as high as Ethiopia on the other side. They are found in the greatest numbers in the interior parts, where there are

In

the race.

vast forests, near the sides of rivers. The wild elephants of Ceylon live in troops or families, distinct and separate from all others, and seem to avoid the strange herds with peculiar care. When a family removes from place to place, the largest tusked males put themselves at the head, and if they meet with a large river are the first to pass it. On arriving on the opposite bank they try whether the landing place is safe: if it be, they give a signal of a note from the trunk as if it were the sound of a trumpet, on which the remaining part of the old elephants swim over; the little elephants follow, holding one another by locking their trunks together, and the rest of the old ones bring up the rear. In the woods is often seen a solitary male elephant, wandering like an outlaw, banished from the herd and all In this solitary state, as if in a state of desperation, they are very dangerous. A single man will put to flight whole herds of social elephants: the solitary one fears not his presence, but will stand firm, putting his power to defiance. Elephants are not domesticated in Africa as in the more civilised parts of Asia, although they are much more numerous. In some parts of Africa they swarm so, that the negroes are obliged to make their habitations under ground for fear of them. They are killed and eaten by the natives, and the trunk is said to be a delicious morsel. In the Philosophical Transactions for 1799, we find some curious particulars relative to the natural history of the elephant, by Mr. Corse, who, during his residence in India, had investigated the subject with considerable attention. A female elephant has been known to forget her young one in the short space of two days' separation, and to repel its advances. It is also said, that an elephant which had escaped from its confinement suffered itself to be again trepanned, and reconducted to its state of captivity. According to Mr. Corse, both male and female elephants are divided by the natives of Bengal into two castes, viz. koomareah and the merghee; the former consisting of the large or full bodied kind; the latter of the more slender, with longer legs and proportionably thinner trunk. The merghee is also a taller animal than the koomareah, but not so strong. Many indistinct varieties are again produced from the intermixture of these two breeds. A large trunk is always considered as a great beauty in an elephant, so that the koomareah is always preferred, not only on this account, but for his superior strength in carrying burdens, &c. The torrid zone appears to be the natural clime of the elephant, and the most favorable for the production of the largest and hardiest race; and, when this animal migrates beyond the tropics, the species degenerates. Elephants are taken on the Malabar coast, as far north as the territories of Coorgah Rajah, but these are considered by Mr. Corse as much inferior to the Ceylonese elephant. In some female elephants the tusks are so small as not to appear beyond the lip, whilst in others they are large and long. In both sexes the grinders are very much alike. The largest tusks, and those which furnish the best ivory, are found in a variety of the male elephant, called dauntelah, from this circumstance, in opposition to

another called mooknah, whose tusks do not excced those of some females. An elephant is considered perfect when his ears are large and rounded, not ragged or indented at the margin: his eyes of a dark hazel color, free from specks: the roof of his mouth and his tongue without dark or blackish spots of any considerable size : his trunk large: his tail long, with a tuft of hair hanging almost to the ground. His fore-feet must have five nails on each, and the hinder ones four; his head well set on and carried rather high: the arch or curve of his back rising gradually from the shoulder to the middle, and thence descending to the insertion of the tail. All his joints must be firm and strong. In one variety of the elephant the tusks point downwards, projecting only a little way beyond the trunk. The tusks in elephants are fixed very deep in the upper jaw; and the root or upper part, wh.ch. s hollow, and filled with a core, goes as high as the insertion of the trunk, round the margin of the nasal opening of the throat, which opening is just below the protuberance of the forehead.

.

The elephant breathes through this opening, and by its means sucks up water into his trunk: between it and the roots of the tusks there is only a thin bony plate. The first or milk tusks of an elephant are shed between the first and second year, when scarcely two inches in length. The time when the tusks cut the gums varies considerably; some young elephants have tusks at five months, and others not till seven; yet these deciduous tusks are formed in a fœtus arrived at its full time. A young elephant was observed to shed one of its milk tusks, on the 6th of November, 1790, when only about thirteen weeks old, and the other on the 6th of December the same year: about two months after, the permanent ones cut the gums; and on the 9th of April, 1791, they were an inch long. Another young elephant was sixteen months before he shed his milk tusks; so various is the time of this process. The permanent tusks of the feinale are sinall, compared with those of the inale; and do not take their rise so deep in the jaw. The tusks are increased by layers of ivory arising internally from the core on which they are formed; similar to the growth of the horns of some animals. The largest elephant tusks Mr. Corse ever saw, in Bengal, did not exceed the weight of 72 lbs. avoirdupois: at Tiperah, they seldom weigh more than 52 lbs. each. But those brought from other parts to the India-house, far exceed either of these weights, some of them weighing 150 lbs. each. Mr. Corse supposes these to come from Pegu. The Asiatic elephant is said to be larger than the African; yet the ivory dealers in London affirm that the largest tusks come from Africa; and that they are of a better texture, and less liable to turn yellow than the Indian ones.

From the earliest accounts in history, the eastern nations have employed elephants in war; Alexander the Great was the first European who ever mounted an elephant. He carried a number of them into Greece, which Pyrrhus employed some years after against the Romans at the battle of Tarentum. Both the Greeks and Romans soon learnt to get the better of those monstrous animals: they opened their ranks and

allowed them to pass through; neither did they attempt to hurt them, but threw darts, &c., at their guides. Now that fire-arms are the principal instruments of war, elephants, who are terrified at the noise and flame, instead of being useful, would only embarrass and confuse an army. However, in Cochin and other parts of Malabar, and in Tonquin, Siam, and Pegu, where fire-arms are little understood, they are still used in battle. The guide sits astride upon the neck, and the combatants sit or stand upon the other parts of the body. They are also extremely serviceable in fording rivers, and carrying over the baggage on their backs. After the keepers have loaded them with several hundred weight, they fasten ropes to them; of which the soldiers taking hold, either swim or are drawn across the river. In time of action, they sometimes fix a heavy iron chain to the end of their trunks, which they whirl round with such agility, as to make it impossible for an enemy to approach them at that time. Another use they still have for this creature in war, is to force open the gates of a city or garrison which is closely besieged. This he does by forcing himself against them with his whole weight, till he has burst the bars: to prevent which, most of the garrisons in this country have large spikes stuck in their gates, that project to a considerable distance. But these prodigious animals are kept more for show and grandeur than for use, and their keeping is attended with a very great expense; for they devour vast quantities of provision, and must sometimes be regaled with a plentiful repast of cinnamon, of which they are excessively fond. It is said to be no uncommon thing with a Nabob, if he has a mind to ruin a private gentleman, to make him a present of an elephant, which he is ever afterwards obliged to maintain at a greater expense than he can afford: as, by parting with it, he would certainly fall under the displeasure of the grandee, besides forfeiting all the honor which his countrymen think is conferred upon him by so respectable a pre

sent.

EL'EVATE, v. a. & part. adj. Fr. elever ; ELEVATION, n. s. Span. elevar; EL'EVATOR. Port. alavantar: Ital. and Lat. elevare; from levis, light, i.e. easily lifted. To lift up; also to make light; lessen by detraction. For the particular use of elevation, see the article following.

When the judgments of learned men are alledged against you, what do they but either elevate their credit, or oppose unto them the judgments of others as learned?

Hooker.

We are therefore to love him with all possible ap

plication and elevation of spirit, with all the heart, soul, and mind.

Norris. This subterranean heat or fire, which elevates the water out of the abyss. Woodward.

The disruption of the strata, the elevation of some, and depression of others, did not fall out by chance, but were directed by a discerning principle. Id.

Those among the nobles who wished for a reformation in religion, dreaded his severity, and others considered the elevation of a churchman to the highest office in the kingdom as a depression of themselves. Robertson. History of Scotland. Kings are naturally lovers of low company. They are so elevated above the rest of mankind, that they must look upon all their subjects as on a level. Burke.

The elevation of the mind ought to be the principal end of all our studies, which, if they do not in some measure effect, they are of very little service to us.

Some headless hero, or some Cæsar, showsDefective only in his Roman nose; Exhibits elevations, drawings, plans, Models of Herculanean pots and pans; And sells them medals, which, if neither rare Nor ancient, will be so, preserved with care.

Id.

Couper.

Rome, that part of the mass where the priest ELEVATION OF THE HOST, in the church of raises the host above his head for the people to adore.

ELEVATOR, in anatomy, the name of several muscles, so called from their serving to raise the parts of the body to which they belong.

ELEVATOR, in surgery, an instrument for raising depressed portions of the skull. Besides the common elevator, several others have been invented, as, for instance, the tripod elevator, Petit, and afterwards improved by M. Louis: and another, which was first devised by M. I. L. but as all the best modern surgeons give the preference to the common one, which is most simple and is found to answer every desirable purpose, we shall not undertake the description of these more complicated instruments. The common elevator is in fact a mere lever, the end of which is somewhat bent, and made rough, in order that it may be less apt to slip away from the piece of bone which is to be raised. This instrument may be used by forming a fulcrum for it, either in the hand which holds it, or on the fingers of the other hand; or the operator may make a fixed point for it on the edge of the opening made with the trephine, or of that which the accidental violence has occasioned. See TRE