xItiii 



tlie next day, I dire&ted tbe nullab to be dammed up and tie 

 water baled out witb native pots ; wben tbis was done and tbe 

 clay below the animal was removed, we found tLat be was stand- 

 ing upon a solid rock, upon wliicb tbe form of bis feet acted like 

 suckers. It was witb great difficulty we succeeded in admitting 

 some air below tbe soles of bis feet after wbicb be soon ascended 

 tbe opposite bank and after having been fed in the cboung for 

 more than thirty-six hours." 



Gilchrist remarks that tbe elephant goes on bis hind knees down 

 an incline, on his fore knees up. We also are told that he can 

 climb steep but soft banks of nullahs by so moulding tbe clay as 

 to form steps for himself, but the authority for tbis statement is 

 doubtful. It is certain, however, that in crossing boggy places, 

 and to extricate himself from sloughs and quicksands he will 

 place bundles of wood, branches, or fascines beneath his feet. 

 In all cases as a preliminary to crossing rivers tbe load should be 

 removed, for the weight of tbe elephant (over three tons) in itself 

 suffices to render passage difficult wben the bottom is muddy or 

 of clay or loose sand. The peculiar position of the elephant in 

 swimming will compel the mahout to sfanci on bis back, they swim 

 freely and for a considerable distance and are seldom drowned in 

 passage of deep rivers. Tbe great care exhibited by tbe elephant 

 in securing a firm foot-tread has become almost proverbial, and 

 be can only with tbe greatest difficulty be persuaded to cross any 

 structure, such as a bridge, which be considers insufficient to sup- 

 port bis huge weight. Experience would seem to indicate the 

 iuadvisability of forcing tbe animal to cross a structure which be 

 seems to consider insecure. It is not the least remarkable proof 

 of tbe tractability of this animal, that, in spite of this instinct of 

 self-preservation, he may bo taught to walk on a tight rope ! 

 Since a large elephant weighs with his load some 3 to 4 tons a 

 bridge which will support him is probably well fitted for ordinary 

 army passage. It is estimated that a loaded elephant occupies a 

 space 99 square feet, and an unloaded one 11 feet by 5 feet ; and 

 they cannot be made to croAvd together (Sir G. Wolseley). On 

 tbe march they geuerally proceed in Indian file and so consider- 

 ably lengthen the column and increase the the number of guards 

 required in a hostile country. Whenever possible they should 

 advance in line and can be kept well up against tbe fighting body 



