BAKING elephant's FLESH. 305 



vided with sharp-pointed sticks, dig a hole in the ground 

 for each foot and a portion of the trunk. These holes 

 are -about two feet deep, and a yard in width; the ex- 

 cavated earth is embanked around the margin of the 

 hole. This work being completed, they next collect an 

 immense quantity of dry branches and trunks of trees, 

 of which there is always a profusion scattered around, 

 having been broken by the elephants in former years. 

 These they pile above the holes to the height of eight 

 or nine feet, and then set fire to the heap. When these 

 strong fixes have burned down, and the whole of the 

 wood is reduced to ashes, the holes and the surround- 

 ing earth are heated in a high degree. Ten or twelve 

 men then stand round the pit, and rake out the ashes 

 with a pole about sixteen feet in length, having a hook 

 at the end. They relieve one another in quick succes- 

 sion, each man running in and raking the ashes for a 

 few seconds, and then pitching the pole to his comrade 

 and retreating) since the heat is so intense that it is 

 scarcely to be endured. When all the ashes are thus 

 raked out beyond the surrounding bank of earth, each 

 elephajat's focA^and portion of the trunk is lifted by two 

 athletic men, S'tanding side by side, who place it on 

 their shoulders, and, approaching the pit together, they 

 heave it into it. The long pole is now again resumed, 

 and with it they shove in the heated bank of earth upon 

 the foot, sho'dng and raking uritil it is completely bur- 

 ied in the earth. The hot embers, of which there is 

 always a great supply, are then raked into a heap above 

 the foot, and another bonfire is kindled over each, which 

 "is allowed to burn down and die a natural death, by 

 which time the enormous foot or trunk will be found 

 to be equally baked throughout its inmost parts. When 

 the foot is supposed to be ready, it is taken out of the 



