Chapter V.
By what reason did the Lord create shorter necks for some animals and longer necks for others? Where are the characteristics, properties, and uses of elephants described, particularly in military matters?
But let us return to the order of creation, and consider in what manner the Lord has formed the necks of certain beasts to be shorter, such as lions and tigers, and also bears; and of others to be longer, such as elephants and camels. Is it not evident that the reason is because those wild animals which feed on flesh did not require a long neck? For they do not cast down their necks and mouths to the ground for the purpose of grazing, but either they attack deer, or they tear apart cows and sheep. But since the camel is taller, how would it feed on very small plants unless it extended its long necks down to the ground for grazing? Therefore, the camel, based on its height, has acquired longer necks, the horse has acquired them based on its needs, and likewise the ox; for they feed on grass.
31. The elephant also has a prominent trunk; because it is taller than all the other animals, it cannot bend down to graze. Therefore, it uses the assistance of a servant to gather food. This enormous animal pours a generous amount of fluid into its trunk; this is why it is concave, so that it can draw water from full lakes to quench its thirst, or it can flood itself with a collected river while drinking. Its neck is certainly smaller than the weight of such a large body would require; so that it would not be more of a burden than a benefit. And so it does not bend its knees, because its legs needed to be more stiff, in order for such a great structure of limbs to be supported like columns. The heel curves slightly, while the rest of the foot remains rigid from top to bottom. And it cannot flex as we often lay down a shield, nor can the beast deflect so much; and rightly it cannot have a common use of rolling and bending with other animals. It is supported on both sides by very large beams so that it can tilt slightly without danger while sleeping, because its foot is not distinguished by any connection of joints. Therefore, certain supports are prepared for gentle animals, by which they are used here. But for wild and savage animals, since no such supports on which they can be sustained are provided, hence comes the use of danger.
For those who lean against a tree or rub their ribs, or relax themselves in sleep, when they are sometimes overcome and bent, they are broken by such a great body: truly, the one who had poured himself into the same [tree], falls and cannot raise and lift himself up; and lying there, he perishes, or, betrayed by his groaning, he is stretched out, while his belly and other softer parts are exposed to the wound. For his back and other outer parts do not allow any weapons to penetrate easily. However, there are those who, because of ivory, set these traps for them, so that they might cut off a little from the side to which the elephant is accustomed to lean, where its use is less frequent, in such a way that, when the elephant leans against it, it cannot support the weight of its limbs and brings about its own destruction.
33. But if someone criticizes those things, let them also criticize the height of buildings; because they threaten heavy ruin more quickly, and are more difficult to repair once they have fallen. But if we frequently raise those things either for the sake of beauty or for observation, we must also approve of them in elephants, because they serve a great use in military matters. Hence the fierce Persian nation in wars, strong in arrows and in every throw of weapons, because their weapons are thrown from higher to lower places with a stronger force, their battle line advances as if protected by advancing towers. In the midst of the fields, they fight as if from a wall; and as if positioned on a certain fortress and lookout, they watch the wars more than they engage in them. Thus they appear foreign from danger, protected by the fortifications of wild beasts. For who would dare to approach them, when they are easily struck down from above by javelins, and crushed below by the charge of elephants? Finally, opposing forces and the ranks of armed soldiers yield to them, and those square camps are dissolved. They rush against the enemy with an unbearable onslaught; as if not hindered by any formation of warriors, by any massing of troops, or by the shield-wall of enemies: as if certain mobile mountains are turning in battle, and, like hills with a high peak, they disturb the confidence of all with the roaring clamor of everyone. What can the feet do, though strong in the arms and ready in hand; when a wall of armed people encounters him as he walks? What can the horseman do, when his horse, frightened by the enormity of such a beast, flees? What can the archer do, when even though he cannot feel the impact of his javelin on the iron-clad bodies of men from above; and when the beast is not easily penetrated by a naked blade, but is protected by armor, it can cut through enemy ranks without danger to itself, and crush formations?
34. Therefore, just as immense buildings are supported by strong foundations, so too elephants are supported by stronger legs; otherwise, with their unequal feet, they would slip within a short period of time. But now they are able to live for three hundred years or more because all their limbs are suited to their size. Therefore, their limbs are not separate like ours, but rather compacted in order to be stronger. As soon as humans stand for a long time, run faster, or walk constantly, their knees and soles become worn out! For conjoined and articulated things are more easily susceptible to the sensation of pain or the occurrence of injury than things that are unified and solidified.
35. And why do you wonder, if they are feared when dressed in armor; since they are always armed with their teeth like natural spears? With their tusks, they can break whatever they wrap them around: but with their feet, they can crush whatever they step on, as if causing a great collapse. They wrap up forests with their tusks for their food, and like some great serpents, they lash out with their coiled tails. They often gather them into a circle, especially when food is gathered from the ground, or drink is consumed. Therefore, these documents are for us, that nothing superfluous has been created; and yet this beast of such great magnitude is subject to us, serving human commands.