ki 



must first enquire whether the elephant can be fed economically 

 and with facility on sers'ice. We have the ascertained facts to 

 work on, that in almost every expedition in which they have been 

 utilized some of these animals have died directly from starvation 

 and others from the effects of malnutrition. Also that even in times 

 of peace many suffer from under feeding. Cost of food sinks into 

 insignificance during operations of war, the necessary amounts 

 must be procured at any expense if possible. We will not deal 

 with the question of actual money expenditure, which will vary 

 with the locality and according as war prices are permitted or 

 forbidden by the authorities. In most countries the great bulk 

 of fodder required for elephants is not procurable, the small 

 amounts of local supplies requiring to be very largely supplement- 

 ed from the base. An elephant's ration of bhoosa for work on 

 ser\ace may be put at 200 lbs. per diem, deduct for local supplies 

 of grass, leaves, boughs, &c., 50 lbs., then 150 lbs. per diem per 

 elephant remains to be supplied by the Commissariat. This would 

 suffice for double the equivalent of donkeys, pack bullocks, camels, 

 or mules. The grain rations of the different animals in proportion 

 to their carrying power may be considered practically equal. 

 Therefore the fodder hulk requisite is a very decided objection to 

 the use of elephants on sen ice ; an objection which increases with 

 their distance from the base of operations. With regard to the 

 power of obtaining food for himself, the elephant requires wide 

 range and a considerable time for feeding, conditions seldom ob- 

 tainable on service. According to present methods a great deal 

 of care is required in preparation pf his food and when ready it is 

 of a nature to prove too great a temptation for a hungiy cattle 

 attendant. This too is liable to increase the number of starved 

 elephants with a force. 



On the march if 400 elephants occupy a mile, an equivalent 

 number of camels will occupy three miles, and of mules or ponies 

 six miles. Thus elephants in a convoy are economical in the matter 

 of guards and space. They are more conspicuous than most other 

 kinds of transport animals and their loss is relatively more serious. 



However, the value of the elephant is seriously reduced by his 

 non-adaptability to draught. If put in harness he at once loses 

 much of the relative advantage his weight, size, and strength 

 give him. It is here the bullock and the mule have the great ad- 

 vantage. A mule or bullock in a cart is for transport purposes, at 



