32 
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
Exposure. 
As already observed, the elephant is by nature a nocturnal 
animal, and is therefore most impatient of the sun. He appears to 
be more himself during the night, and in the mornings and evenings 
than during the day, even when protected by shade ; at these times 
he is more active, and can in every way perform more work. 
Animals tethered in the sun \\ ill show their dislike to it by heaping 
bundles of fodder, blankets, in fact anything that will afford pro- 
tection on to their heads, and constantly kick up sand which they 
collect and throw on their heads and backs. When working in 
the heat they frequently place the trunk in the mouth and squirt 
watery fluid over their bodies. Perhaps no elephants are exposed 
more to the sun and weather than those working in timber-yards, 
where thev are at work from early morning till eleven o'clock and 
again from i or 2 P.M. to 5 P.M. The work however varies, 
sometimes light, at others heavy ; occasionally they get a rest, 
owing either to there being no work, or to some part of the mill 
machinery having given away. It is possibly owing to the frequency 
of these rests, the variation of the work, and the extras in the way 
of food they receive, that they stand it longer than might be 
expected ; but on the whole the mortality is high. If the animals 
are picketed out during the hot season, when the glare is very 
great, it is advisable to hang moist cloths or shades over the eyes. 
It is also desirable that elephants working in the sun be provided with 
a pad of material similar to the guddela, or of a lighter material, 
say cotton large enough to cover the neck and head and. hang 
down a span or two around the la.tter. A careful attendant will 
often be seen spreading his turban or jacket over his animal's head 
to shield it from the sun. Exposure to rain and even having to dis- 
pense with other shelter than that of a tree, provided the drainage 
be good, does not seem to act prejudicially. On the other hand, 
exposure to cold night winds in open sheds erected upon bare^ 
unsheltered and elevated sites, which again become heated to a pro- 
portionate degree during the day, has been justly regarded as a 
source of disease. Artificial shelter is required only where good 
natural shelter fails. The best shelter is a grove of evergreen trees 
standing on a slight slope, where the drainage is good and so large 
as to permit of the standings being frequently changed. But for 
elephants working in yards, sheds have to be built. They should 
be erected on sheltered and well-drained sites, and ought to be 
provided with jhamps on the north-east and south-west sides, and 
have raised sloping floors of concrete or laterite. Floors made of 
slabs of wood are objectionable, unless well raised with a concrete 
