93 



niinatc in long beut hooks, and the links of these chains are made 

 so large as to admit of the hooks being inserted in them ; and tho 

 chain may thus be rovo through a ring and adjusted to any re- 

 quired length. 



The chains should, if possible, be fitted to each animal beforo 

 he is brought to the loading platform ****** 



VI. The bridge from the platform to the truck should bo strong 

 and firm and as nearly level as possible. Both it and tho floor 

 of the truck should be covered with short grass or straw. 



VII. The doors of the truck having been thrown wide open, tho 

 side beams on the side of entry having been removed, and the rear 

 beam having been adjusted according to the length of the elephant, 

 the mahont will ride the first selected elephant (which should be 

 one of the quietest and boldest) into the tmck, another attendant 

 going in front with a bundle of sugarcane or other atti-active food. 

 If a portion of the carriage is roofed in (which does not appear 

 to be necessary now that the elephant's head is secured,) the 

 mahout should either sit on its back from the first, or slip back 

 from the neck, as the elephant enters the truck. 



VIII. The moment it is fairly in its place, the collai* chain 

 should be hooked to the ring-bolt in the floor, and tho side beams 

 expeditiously but silently run into their places and firmly bolted 

 down to the cross pieces by men who have been standing ready 

 for the purpose. The most convenient and quickest method of 

 placing these long beams in their places is by hauling them through 

 by ropes attached to rings or staples in their ends. 



IX.- The front chain hitherto held up by the mahout should be 

 dropped as soon as the neck chain is secured, passed through the 

 ring-bolt in floor, and then through the opening at end of truck j 

 where, after being hauled taut, it should be hooked. 



The rear chain should similarly be passed through the ring- 

 bolt behind the elephant, and secured to the other end of the 

 truck. In case of an elephant proving troublesome, a man with 

 a long hook should be stationed at each end of tho truck, so as 

 to be ready to catch hold of the chains and draw them within reach. 



X. If the above is properly done, the animal should be im- 

 movably secured in a few seconds, during which time his attend- 

 ants should have been diverting his attention by feeding and 

 carressing him. 



