230 MAMMALIA. [Cuar. VIL. 
tear of the highways and bridges would prove too costly 
to be borne. On the other hand, by restricting it to a 
somewhat more manageable quantity, and by limiting 
the weight, as at present, to about one ton and a half, 
it is doubtful whether an elephant performs so much- 
more work than could be done by a horse or by bullocks, 
as to compensate for the greater cost of his feeding and 
attendance. 
Add to this, that from accidents and other causes, 
from ulcerations of the skin, and illnesses of many kinds, 
the elephant is so often invalided, that the actual cost 
of his labour, when at work, is very considerably en- 
hanced. Exclusive of the salaries of higher officers 
attached to the government establishments, and other 
permanent charges, the expenses of an elephant, looking 
only to the wages of his attendants and the cost of his 
food and medicines, varies from three shillings to four 
shillings and sixpence per diem, according to his size 
and class.! 
1 An ordinary-sized elephant en- 
grosses the undivided attention of 
three men. One, as his mahout or 
superintendent, and two as leaf- 
cutters, who bring him branches 
and grass for his daily supplies. 
An animal of larger growth would 
probably require a third leaf-cutter. 
The daily consumption is two ewt. 
of green food with about half a 
bushel of grain. When in the 
vicinity of towns and villages, the 
attendants have no difficulty in pro- 
curing an abundant supply of the 
branches of the trees to which ele- 
phants are partial; and in journeys 
through the forests and unopened 
country, the leaf-cutters are sufli- 
ciently expert in the knowledge of 
those particular plants with which 
the elephant is satisfied. Those 
‘ 
Taking the average at three shillings and 
that would be likely to disagree 
with him he unerringly rejects. 
His favourites are the palms, espe- 
cially the cluster of rich, unopened 
leaves, known as the “ cabbage,” of 
the coco-nut, and areca; and he de- 
lights to tear open the young trunks 
of the palmyra and jaggery (Caryota 
wrens) in search of the farinaceous 
matter contained in the spongy 
pith. Next to these come the 
varieties of fig-trees, particularly 
the sacred Bo (F. religiosa) which 
is found near every temple, and 
the na gaha (Messua ferrea), with 
thick dark leaves and a_ scarlet 
flower. The leaves of the Jak-tree 
and bread-fruit (Ardocarpus inte- 
grifolia, and A. incisa), the Wood 
apple (Zigle Marmelos), Palu (Mi- 
musops Indica), and a uumber of. 
P) 
