FETTERING FOR GRAZING. 
51 
is secured, in which case a rope is wound round the leg about 
half-way up and tied ; the tethering chain is applied above this. 
For animals given to trying to throw the mahouts off, an iron 
spiked chain collar is sometimes employed. 
Fettering for Grazing. 
When elephants are set free to graze during the day or night, 
care should be taken to have each animal properly fettered, more 
particularly the males, as it not only prevents them wandering away 
for miles, but may interfere with the males fighting, as they are apt 
to do at times, goring each other seriously. An unfettered small 
male has a great advantage over a much larger fettered opponent ; 
and cases have occurred of elephants dying from the effects of such 
conflicts. In the case of a fight between two elephants belonging 
to different owners, one being fettered, the other free, the owner 
of the former received a decree in Court for all the damage done to 
his animal by the unfettered one. The degree of injury done by 
goring depends naturally on the length, thickness and sharpness of 
the tusks. Sharp tusks will readily pierce the tissues inflicting 
terrible wounds ; but blunt ones, whether from pushing timber, or 
from being intentionally cut, will in many cases cause contusions 
only, the effects of which, however, may be of a very serious nature. 
A case recently tried in Upper Burma will prove of interest to owners 
of elephants. I therefore give it in full from the " Burma Law 
Reports," Volume VII, Part II, page 73, igoi {see Appendix A). 
Securing for Operations. 
As a rule elephants are very good about being operated on ; 
they do not appear to mind being cut ; there are however many 
troublesome dangerous beasts who require to be carefully secured. 
The two more common methods employed are as follows : — 
. [a) The mahout should bring the animal up to a post or tree, 
the fore and hind fetters and tethering chains are applied, 
the hind chain is tied to a post or tree behind, the 
animal is then made to bring his fore-legs as near as 
possible to the post round which the fore tethering chain 
is tied. The fore-legs are now brought together as close 
as possible, and a long rope is wound round the limbs 
above the fetters in a figure of 8 and secured between 
the legs. The elephant is then made to place his hind 
