INTRODUCTION. 



PART II. 

 THE ELEPHANT AS USED IN MODERN ARMIES. 

 In the previous Chapter we have dealt \vith the question of 

 elephant supplies to the Army, and have seen firstly, that Breed- 

 ing Studs, though practicable, are not economic, and secondly, 

 that Sanderson practically proves capturing is an actual source 

 of income to Government, and, withal, fully adequate to present 

 requirements for public purposes. The Elephants of the Com- 

 missariat, he considered, might be reduced to one-third of their 

 numbers at the time when he wrote, and we find that 600 Tran- 

 sport Elephants in future to be kept by the Indian Government 

 was fixed by the Army Estimates for 1883-4 ; Five per cent, more 

 being allowed for casualties. Sanderson, further urged they 

 serve for a long time, and the cost of their keep may be much 

 reduced. Thus, he estimated, a saving of Rs. 4,38,000 per 

 annum would be effected by reform of elephant feeding in 

 India. The present price of a good baggage elephant he puts 

 at Es. 2,000 and shows that the largeness of this price is due to 

 Government monopoly of capture. The important question of 

 whether elephants are really essential to Government and econo- 

 mical in these days of machinery and train locomotion is one we 

 are not here inclined to discuss in full detail — suffice it for our 

 present purpose that they are used in numerous and diverse ways 

 in military operations. i 



Elephants on admission into the service should be in good 

 health — that is, free from obvious defect in eye-sight and, espe- 

 cially, limb — their respiratory powers are seldom defective. In 

 considering the limbs of this animal, we must include under this 

 heading the proboscis or trunk (the "hand" of the elephant, as 

 it has been called) and remember that any defect in power of 

 movement or injury to the end of this important organ is a 

 serious unsoundness. The Signs of General Health are : — shin, 

 nearly black, the light parts to have a healthy pink tinge j mucous 

 membrane of mouth of a rich pink colour without black spots; eye 

 bright and cha^r; pulse normal ; the animal should sleep well 2-4 

 hours during the night and at once on awakening recommence 

 eating. When awake should be constantly on the move with trunk, 



