Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/252

222&#93; 222] ELM verted. Into combs and other useful articles. It is also provided with a long pliable proboscis, o. - snout, with which it can seize any objects, and also convey its liquid nutri- ment to the mouth. Elephants are remarkable for their uncommon sagacity, as well tls their social disposition. When tamed, they are the most friendly of all animals, and can easihy dis- tinguish their master's or driver's voice. They are sensible of the language of anger, of command, and of satisfaction, so that they act accordingly. They receive orders with attention, and execute them with precision and alacrity, bowing themselves for the convenience of those who wish to mount them ; raising" burthens with their trunk ; and laying them on their back. These .animals delight in shining harness and. trappings ; though, when yoked in a cart or waggon, they draw cheerfully, unless abused by unjust chastisement, in which case they seldom fail to take ven- geance on their tyrannical master. If the elephant be properly ma- naged, . he attains a very considera- ble age; even though employed in servitude and labour. Several in- stances have occurred, in which these creatures have reached the age of 130 years in captivity 3 and, in a natural state, they often e- ceed 200 years : their full growth is said to require not less than 30 3 r ears. — The flesh, gall, skin, and bones of elephants, are used medi- cinally by the Chinese. — See also Ivory. Elixir: See Tincture. ELM-TREE, the Cqmmon.ot Ulmus campestris, L. an indigenous tree, growing chiefly in a loose soil of hedge-rows, and abounding in the more southern. parti of this ELM country ;- — its flowers have a plea- sant smell, similar tothatofviqlets} and blow in the month of April; This wood may be propagated! by the seed, ana by layers or suckers taken frorn the roots of old . those raised from layers, al- ways strifee bine;- roots, thrive more quickly than the other, and do not shoot forth so many suckers j fur which reason this, method de- serves to be more generally prac- tised. The elm naturally delights in a stirf, strong soil ; where it grows comparatively slow ; bat if it be planted in rich, light land, it ve- getates most luxuriantly. In the latter case, however, its wood is light, porous, and of litde value, compared with that produced on richer soils : the latter is of a closer and stronger texture, and possesses near the heart, the colour and al- most the weight and hardness of iron. On such lands, therefore, the elm becomes very proiitable, and is one of those deciduous trees, which ought to be industriously cultivated. This beautiful tree is of great value ; and well adapted for plant- ing shady walks, as it does not de- stroy the grass, and its leaves are relished by horses, cows, goats, hogs, and sheep, all of which eat them eagerly. Its wood, being hard and tough, is used for making axle-- trees, mill-wheels, keels of boats, chairs, and coffins : it is also fre- quently changed by art, so as com- pletely to resemble mahogany; for this purpose, it is sawed into thick planks, stained with aqua-fortis, and rubbed over with a tincture, of which alkanet, aloes, and spirit of wine, are the principal ingredients. This plant affords subsistence to a variety of insects that prey upon it,