DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN INDIA. 



605 



stand still. Some mahouts are quite skillful in this pattern-work. 

 Then the howdah pad is girthed on with cotton ropes, riding over 

 flaps of leather to prevent the chafing to which the sensitive skin 

 is liable. The howdah itself, a cumbrous frame of wood covered 

 with beaten silver plates, is slung and tied with a purchase on the 

 tail-root, and heavy cloths, broidered in raised work of gold and 

 silver thread, are attached, hanging like altar-cloths down the 

 sides. A frontlet of gold and silver diaper, with fringes of fish- 

 shaped ornaments in thin beaten silver, necklaces of large silver 

 hawk-bells and chain-work, with embossed heart-shaped pendants 

 as big as the open hand, and hanging ornaments of chains of 

 silver cartouches, are adjusted. A cresting of silver ornaments, 

 like small vases or fluted soup-tureens, exaggerations of the knobs 

 along a horse's crest, descend from the rear of the howdah to the 

 tail ; anklets of silver are sometimes fitted round the huge legs. 



Fig. 9. — Elephant lifting Teak Logs (Burmah). 



and a bell is always slung at his side. The pillars of the howdah 

 canopies, and then the canopies themselves, with their finials, are 

 fitted as the beast kneels. 



It is officially stated that " all who have had to deal witli ele- 

 phants agree that their good qualities can not be exaggerated ; 

 that their vices are few, and only occur in exceptional animals ; 

 that they are neither treacherous nor retentive of injury ; and 

 that they are obedient, gentle, and patient beyond measure." This 

 is higher and more sympathetic praise than is usually tied up in 

 the pink tape of secretariats, and it is all true. 



The normal load for continuous travel of a fair-sized elephant 

 is eight hundred pounds, so the animal is equal to eight ponies. 



