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The elephant plays a prominent part in the Hindoo tales. They pretend that
the world is sustained by four of these animals, who are placed at the four
cardinal points. In most of their temples one of them is sure to be seen.
[Illustration]
His colour is white, his tusks are sometimes four in number, and all his
body is covered with carpet, sparkling in the light of diamonds and
precious stones.
The Hindoos revere also a large serpent as a god:
"'The god! the very god!' he cried, and howled
One long, shrill, piercing, modulated cry;
Whereat from that dark temple issued forth
A serpent, huge and hideous. On he came,
Straight to the sound, and curled around the priest
His mighty folds innocuous, overtopping
His human height, and arching down his head,
Sought in their hands for food.
Then quitting, reared, and stretched and waved his neck
And glanced his forky tongue."