. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE ASIATIC ELEPHANT. 203 of one place of vantage until another is gained. Should no suitable projec- tion be found, the Elephant scrapes a hole in the ground with its advanced foot, and makes use of this artificial depression in its descent. If the declivity be very steep, the animal will not descend in a direct line, but make an oblique track along the face of the hill. Although the description of this curious process occupies some time, the actual feat is performed with extreme rapidity. Though the foot of an Elephant is extremely large, it is most a
. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE ASIATIC ELEPHANT. 203 of one place of vantage until another is gained. Should no suitable projec- tion be found, the Elephant scrapes a hole in the ground with its advanced foot, and makes use of this artificial depression in its descent. If the declivity be very steep, the animal will not descend in a direct line, but make an oblique track along the face of the hill. Although the description of this curious process occupies some time, the actual feat is performed with extreme rapidity. Though the foot of an Elephant is extremely large, it is most admirably formed for the purpose which it is destined to fulfil, and does not, as might be supposed, fall heavily upon the ground. The hoof that incloses the foot is composed of a vast number of horny plates, that are arranged on the principle of the common carriage-spring, and seem to guard the animal from the jarring. ASIATIC ELEPHANT.—(Elephas Indicus.) shock of the heavy limb upon the soil. Those who for the first time witness the walk or the run of the Elephant are always surprised at the silent ease of the creature's free, sweeping step. As there is no short ligament in the head of the thigh-bone, the hind foot is swung forward at each step, clearing the ground easily, but being scarcely raised above the surface of the earth. Having thus given a short sketch of the characteristics which are common to both species of Elephants, I will proceed to a short account of the Asiatic animal. The Asiatic Elephant bears a world-wide fame for its capabilities as a §eivant and companion of man, and fpjr the extraordinary development pf. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Wood, J. G. (John George), 1827-1889. New York, Burt Co
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
