CHAPTER VI.
The Elephant—Differences between Indian and African Elephants—The Begging Elephant of Willenoor—Recognition of a Friend—What the Elephant Enjoys—Elephant Working a Pump—One that Served as a Nursemaid to Children—Madame Duphot's Pet, Nirjara—The Elephant who Remembered an Injury—How Wild Elephants are Caught—Tame Elephants used for Hunting Wild Ones—Manjari and what he did—Securing the Captives—Driving a Herd into a Keddali—Laws against Killing Elephants—The Sagacity of a Young Elephant in Robbing a Garden.
We will go at once from a small animal to a large one,” said Mr. Graham at their next conversation about the intelligence of quadrupeds. “And not only to a large one but to the largest four-footed animal in existence.”
“That must be the elephant,” said Charley, “as he is conceded to be the largest land animal in the world.”
“Yes,” replied the gentleman, “and what can you tell me about him?”
“He belongs to the order of Pachydermata and the section Proboscidean,” the youth answered, “and his ordinary height at the shoulder is about eight feet, though there are many elephants that exceed ten feet. He is very bulky in proportion to his height and length, the weight of a large elephant being about five tons. He can sleep standing and often does so, but it is incorrect to suppose, as some people do, that he cannot lie down on account of the shortness and stiffness of his legs. He is very sure-footed and can go up and down steep hills and mountains with very little trouble.”
“Quite correctly stated,” said Mr. Graham as Charley paused. Then turning to George he asked how many kinds of elephants there are in the world.