THE DONKEY. 



275 



attention and small rations ; will do well on poor classes of forage and 

 are valuable transport on lines of communication. In India they are, like 

 mules, selected by measurement at not less than three or more than 

 eight years of age : — 



They are particularly hardy, useful pack animals, if they are not over- 

 loaded or overdriven. Their pace is two miles and a half an hour, and 

 they can cover fifteen miles a day. 



The saddle of pack donkeys is generally a pattern known as the 

 " sunka." A " sunka " is a bolster stuffed with straw and supple sticks 

 or canes, which is doubled in the centre, and its sides tied close together. 

 The bend of the bolster is placed well in front of the animal's withers, so 

 that these and the spines of the backbone lie in the space between the 

 doubled portions, and on this the load is supported. 



Both beneath and above the " sunka " a thick layer of blankets is 

 arranged to form a protective pad, and when in skilled hands it gives 

 fairly good results. As, however, everything depends on the skill of the 

 attendants in arranging this simple form of saddle, it is quite unsuited for 

 transport which is not very thoroughly acquainted with it, and is in any 

 case inferior to a good pack saddle of the right size. 



(b 10948) 



S 2 



