Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-05-23
A ZeOLOEICAL WONDER.
The First Elephant ever Born on
American Soil.

present year, there was born at the
winter quarters of Forepaugh's
menagerie, Germantown, Ia ward
in Philadelphia), Pennsylvania, the
first elephant that ever saw the
light Of day in this country. But
one other event of this kind is ever
known to have occurred in temper
ate latitudes, and that took place at
the Geological Garden, London, in
the year 1S54-the latter animal
lived but short time, but during
its brief existence was an object Of
great interest to the scientific world
and the general public. 1t was
visited by Queen Victoria and the
royal family and all day long the
carriages of the nobility and the
aristocracy surrounded the grounds,
an1iously awaiting an opportunity
to see the newly-born baby elephant.
Forepaugh's infant pachyderm,
though born in less pretentious
quarters, is daily attracting a gulf
stream Of visitors, wherever his
famous menagerie is exhibited. The
birth of this '1ittle joker" was an
event entirely unexpected, and hap
pened in this wise: At midnight
on the first of February one of the
night watchmcn heard strange and
most extraordinary sounds coming
from the quarters where the six
trained elephants were stationed.
Surprising that one of them had
broken loose he cautiously entered
the building and looked around to
ascertain the cause Of the disturb
ance. The animals were all in their
accustomed spaces, and chained as
when last he saw them, but they
all appeared restless and uneasy,
and especially was this the case
with the female elephant Minerva,
u venerable and most intelligent
animal, estimated to be about sew.
enty.fye years Of age, and weigh
ing about 1900 pounds, and who
sustains leading part in the pan
tomlme performed by these slA ele-
plants. AS the animal appeared
to be suffering considerable pain,
the watchman summoned the su.
perintendent of animals and the
veterinary surgeon. These two
gentlemen after carefully observing
the actions of the distressed brute,
concluded to report her condition to
Mr. Forepaugh. This gentleman,
Immediately on his arrival, compre-
hended the cause of the strange
conduct on the part of the ponder
Gus brute, and ordered half dozen
bales Of hay to be Immediately
placed beneath the animal. Sub
sequent events confirmed the cor
rectness of Mr.. Forepaugh's inn
pressions. In less than one hour
after his arrival a beautiful bounc-
ing baby elephant was cuddling by
the side of its mammoth mamma,
and a few hours thereafter be
might be seen vigorously imbibing
his rations from the maternal
fount. The event was complete
surprise to Mr.. Forepaugh, the
more so, as with but one exception
(above mentioned), there is no
record of an elephant ever breeding
in captivity.
Immediately after its birth Mr..
Forepaugh invited the representa-
tiyes of the press to an interview
with the first elephant ever born
on this continent, and thereafter,
the occurrence being known
throughout the city, thousands of
persons have visited this probosci-
dian phenomena Several disputed
points are settled by the birth of
this elepant. 1t is now demon
strated that elephants can breed in
captivity. Again, several distin-
guished biologists have asserted
that the young elephant suckleS
with its trunk. Such is not the
fact, as is proved by Forepaugh's
infant. The young elephant takes
the nipple in its mouth, and uses
its trunk to press the mothers
bosom in order to facilitate the flow
Of milk. The little elephant stands
in front of its mother when nursing,
and the breasts are located between
the fore legs.
The period Of CESSATION is about
twenty and one-half months, and
the dimensions of Forepaugh's baby
elephant, when born, were as fol-
lows: Hight 81 inches, length SO
inches, and its weight 154 pounds;
its tiny trunk was 20 inches in
length, and altogether it is de-
scribed as one of the queerest,
quaintest, ungainly little specimens
Of elephant ever beheld. At last
accounts "mother and child were
doing WELL"
The Power Behind the Throne.