THE ELEPHANT. 9

he lifts the heaviest burden, picks up the
smallest pin and carries food and drink
tohismouth. The neck is short and strong
and the legs are stout and massive. His
skin is hard, wrinkled, without hair, and
about an inch thick on the back. The
usual color of the elephant is a dark ash-
brown; but some are found perfectly
white. These white elephants are con-
sidered sacred by the people of Siam, and
are therefore very carefully guarded and
attended. The temper of this great beast
is mild, and his Sagacity is surprising, he
delights in the sound of music and the
fragrance of flowers, The African Elephant
is now only hunted for the ivory of its
tusks,