Show ire he ventu tor remit in place which would puzzle mules mule it is a remarkable thing that elephants are able to make their way up and down mountains and through a country of steep cliffs where mules would not dare venture and even where men find passage difficult their tracks have been found upon the very summit of mountains over seven tho thousand feet high in these journeys an elephant is often compelled to descend hills and mountain sides which are almost precipitous this is thew the way ayin in which it is done the elephants first maneuver is to kneel down close to the declivity one fore leg is then cautiously passed over the edge and a short way down the slope and it if tie he finds there is no good spot for a firm foothold he speedily forms one by stamping into the soil if it is moist or kicking kickin gont out a looting footing if it is dry when he is sure of a good foothold the other foreleg fore leg is brought down in the same way vay then he performs the same work over again with his feet bringing both fore legs a little in advance of the first footholds this leaves g good sure places all made and ready for the hind feet now bracing himself by his huge strong fore legs he d draws his hind legs first one and then the other carefully over the edge where they 0 oa cupy the first places made by the forefeet this is the way the huge animal proceeds all the way do down zigzag kneeling every time with the two hind legs while he makes footholds with his forefeet in this way the center of gravity is a preserved and the huge ange beast prevented from toppling over on his nose |