OCR Text |
Show PECULIAR ELEPHANTS.-Ctesias, the Cnidian, who lived A. D. 330, reported that, the elephant has no joints, that consequently is unable to lie down, and is in the habit of sleeping as it rests against a tree in its native forest. This peculiarity, he stated, is taken advantage of by the hunters, who cut down the tree, whereupon the huge beast rolls helplessly over on its back, and is easily captured of dispatched. The real facts are that elephants often sleep standing, and that the wilder ones seldom lie down. Yet tame elephants as often sleep lying as standing. Christopher a Costa declared that elephants have been known to speak, and this question is one which even Sit Thomas Browne never ventured to contradict - he thought it might be possible.- All the Year Round. |