The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-04-30
Az ELEPHANTS HEAD.
Curious THINGS About IL that an oh.ervtns
Artist IL SIN Puzsled Over.


Artist IL sim Pushed Over.
II is common delusion that an elephant
smells through its trunk. but the fact 10. never
theless. that an elephants proboscis Is not
more legitimately to be considered az its nose
than snipe's bill Is TO be looked upon az its
organ OF smell. SO says MIR. Fl. II. Cross
OF the Barnum. Bailey i Hutchinson Show
an authority on the subject OF elephants.
During moro than nine years he was
constantly travelling. as an artist corre-
spondent Of the London Netos. in Africa. Asia.
and Ceylon. where he had every possible facility
for studying those animals both wild and tame.
And rs elephants possessed sort OF fascina-
ton for him. he did not neglect his opportuni-
ties. He carefully studied their habits. and
when he had shot one OF them he studiously
disseoted II and made accurate drawings OF
the various parts. This work he prolonged
until he possesses fund OF information.
The question having been propounded TO Mr..
Cross. Has the elephant nose and II SO.
where does 1t begin. and where does Il end p
he obligingly delivered lecture on the els-
plants head. illustrating It as he went along
with sketches. The elephant has one nostril."
no said. or what may properly be so consid-
cred. which extends downward from the air
passages OF the head and has its opening In
the roof Of the mouth. very near to the front.
Interorly 1t communicates with the front or
lower part OF the single cavity which exists
in the base OF the elephants proboscs.
There is o valve in the trunk just below
that opening. which prevents anything from
that interior passing down into the trunk.
and SO being mixed with tho animals food
and drink. That valve is under the con-
troll OF the beast. opens when he breathes and
closes when he fills his trunk with water in
drinking so as to prevent the ascent OF the
water. which would otherwise 20 direct to MS
lungs. His oltaetory nerves are In that nostrii
he brings up with his trunk to the opening In
the roof OF his mouth; II is an open question
| can smell anything, except perhaps an exceed
ingly strong odor. by an inhalation thr9ugh the
ssentad her at
distances. but it is most probable that
the animals warning came through their h
| scent. Below that valve there are two cavities
| through the proboscis, which IL an elongated
nerves OF sensation. all Of which come near TO
the surface at the extreme end OF me elep tants
Is excessively sensitive. and even slight blow
is generally imagined that when the elephant
| strikes person. he strikes downward and with
roneous. He is too tender OF himself to hurt
a blow With it. however light. Wien he strikes
| he doubles back the end and deals an upward
| or StdewlSe blow with the Oent portion OF IL, tne
| muscle Of which he hardens up until 1t is
| almost like iron.
! I'm two respects beyond that interior nos
! tril the mouth Of the elephant is peculiar. In
the first place, he does not chew his food with q
| sidewise grinding motion but with forward
| and backward chiselling sort Of motion. He
| has twelve large fiat teeth. six on each side
| three above and three below. The teeth in the
| upper Jaw when at rest are advanced one tooth
| ahead OF those in the lower jaw, and when the
| latter is In full swing it goes far enough for.
the foremost one Of the upper set. Thus