National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-07-22
ELEPHANTS SWIMMING.
An Interesting sight Mt the Geological
Gardens In PhIIndcInhIn.

Last week the elephants at the Phila-
dclphia Zoo tried their new bathing pool for the
fourth time. Ono day when the garden was
crowded with visitors the animals were put into the
pool twice. The last time leak was discovered in
one corner SO that the water had to be drained Off
and the necessary repairs made. Seven feet of
water were put into the bath and the elephants
sent into 1t. At first they plunged out into the
water, and spashing and tumbing about, seemed
20 enjoy themselves very much but they soon made
mp their minds that the water was little too deep,
Jenny the largest of the three, who stands over
seven feet high, and Dom Pedro, who was five feet
nine inches at the last measurement, appeared to
be ell satisfied, but the Empress who is six feet
high was nervous, and her repeated efforts to slip
out of the water made the others excited and anx
ious to go too that for greater part of the time
Mr.. Pendergnst, the keeper, and his assistants had
plenty to do TO keep the elephant IN the water.
Their antics were extremely interesting,
and afforded much amusement to the throngs
OF people who surrounded the pool
at respectful distance-all the time the animals
were in the water. The little ones Topped about
In the most clumsy way, and scrambled up with
their front feet upon each others backs and upon
the largest one Occasionally Dom and Empress
would raise themselves upon the edge of the pool
and rest themselves there. In order to be able to
reach the elephants when they came too close TO
the slope leading up out of the water the keeper
had plank laid across from edge to edge and
stood in the middle with prong to keep Empress
from approaching too near. That animal made
sundry efforts to get past but for time they were
in vain. In few minutes, however, she dived
under the surface OF the water, and, coming up
Just under the plank, lifted 1t on her shoulders
and started up the slope. OF course the keeper
had to run to escape n duckng. The other
elephants, of course, followed the lead of
the Empress, and the men had some
trouble to get them all back again. This
manmuvre was repeated about dozen times be-
fore the elephants were allowed TO go up into
their pens. The keeper says his charges are much
better now and attributes the change to the bath.
A heavy railing is being erected around the pool
and when It is completed the elephants
will be permitted TO walk around the edges of the
bath and follow their own inclinations. As they
get better used to the bath their frolics will be
very interesting If they follow the example of the
elephants in the London Geological Garden
Elephants are said to he excellent swimmers in
their native countries, and they have o peculiar
way of crossing rivers. large herd of the ami
mails will march deliberately down in the water
until they all disappear but the ends OF the trunk
through which they breathe, until the opposite
bank is reached. The bones of the elephant are
so heavy that when the water is OF suitable depth
the animal will walk along the bottom of the river
upon its hind feet, keeping only the tip Of its
trunk out OF the water PHILADELPHIA Bu2etin.