48 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



compact, there should be an opening down the centre, to avoid all 

 pressure uj>on the spine. A quilted pad stuffed with wool, 3 

 inches thick, with an opening down the middle, would rest com- 

 fortably upon the animal's back, and would entirely relieve the 

 highly-arched backbone, which would thus be exposed to a free 

 current of air, and would remain hard instead of becoming sodden 

 through perspiration. Upon this soft layer the large pad is fixed. 

 This is made of the strongest sacking, stuffed as tight as possible 

 with dried reeds of a tough variety that is common in most tanks ; 

 this is open in the centre and quite a foot thick at the sides, so 

 that it fills up the hollow, and rests the weight upon the ribs at a 

 safe distance from the spine. 



There are various contrivances in the shape of saddles. The 

 ordinary form for travelling is the char-jarma ; this is an oblong 

 frame, exceedingly strong, which is lashed upon the pad secured 

 by girths. It is stuffed with cotton, and neatly covered with 

 native cloth. A stuffed back passes down the centre like a sofa, 

 and two people on either side sit dos-a-dos, as though in an Irish 

 car. Iron rails protect the ends, and swing foot-boards support 

 the feet. This is, in my opinion, the most comfortable way of 

 riding, but some care is necessary in proportioning the weights to 

 ensure a tolerable equilibrium, otherwise, should the route be up 

 and down steep nullahs, the char-jarma will shift upon one side, 

 and become most disagreeable to those who find themselves on the 

 lower level. Natives prefer a well-stuffed pad, as they are accus- 

 tomed to sit with their legs doubled up in a manner that would 

 be highly uncomfortable to Europeans. Such pads are frequently 

 covered with scarlet cloth aud gold embroidery, while the elephant 

 is dressed in a silk and gold cloth reaching to its knees. The face 

 and head are painted in various colours and devices, exhibiting 

 great taste and skill on the part of the designer. It is curious to 

 observe the dexterity with which an otherwise ignorant mahout will 

 decorate the head of his animal by drawing most elaborate curves 

 and patterns, that would tax the ability of a professional artist 

 among Europeans. 



The howdah is the only accepted arrangement for sporting 

 purposes, and much attention is necessary in its construction, as the 

 greatest strength should be combined with lightness. There ought 

 to be no doors, as they wenken the solidity of the whole. The 

 weight of a good roomy howdah should not exceed two hundred- 

 weight, or at the outside 230 pounds. It must be remembered 

 that the howdah is not adapted for travelling, as there is a dis- 

 agreeable swinging motion inseparable from its position upon the 



