Page:Natural History (1848).djvu/144

134 of along neck, which would have been incompatible with the support of the large head and weighty tusks. A glance at the head of an Elephant will shew the thickness and strength of the trunk at its insertion; and the massy arched bones of the face, and thick muscular neck, are adapted for supporting and working this powerful and wonderful instrument."

In the minute and interesting account given by M. Houel, of two Elephants, male and female, which were placed in the Jardin des Plantes, at Paris, in the year 1802, the appearance and functions of the extremity of the proboscis are well noticed, and illustrated by engravings, from which the following are copied. That of the male differed a little in form from that of the female, its outline approaching a square form, while that of the latter was more triangular.

The proboscis is invariably used to collect food; whether leaves are to be plucked, fruits to be gathered, or grass to be cropped, the flexible trunk is the effective organ. Though so large an animal requires an immense quantity of food, and hence must be