224 
THE ELEPHANT. 
break or injure any thing committed to theif 
charge ; that from the margins of waters they 
put packages into boats without wetting thenij 
laying them gently down, arranging them 
where they ought to be placed, and trying 
with their trunks whether they are properly 
stowed ; and it is said, that if a cask rolls? 
they will go of their own accord in quest ol 
a stone to prop and render it firm. They ar^ 
also employed in the carriage of persons an<J 
heavy burdens in travelling and on the mard^ 
of an army ; in field sports, especially in hunt' 
ing the lion and tiger ; and in processions an<5 
ceremonials. 
For travelling and hunting, the elephant 
carries on his back a seat capable of holding 
two persons, while the mahout sits on the necfc 
and sometimes a servant on the crupper. 
howdahs of the natives of Hindostan are squai'^ 
wooden fraiues, about eighteen inches deep, wi^’ 
bedding and pillows behind and on each sid^' 
