8o 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA VS 
CHAP. 
seldom used excepting in the state ceremonies which 
occur at distant intervals. A high caste male 
elephant in its gold trappings, with head-piece and 
forehead lap equally embroidered, and large silver 
bells suspended from its tusks, is a magnificent 
object during the display attending a durbar. At 
such an occasion there may be a hundred elephants 
all in their finery, each differing from the other both 
in size and in the colours of their surroundings. 
The outfit for an elephant depends upon the 
work required. The first consideration is the pro¬ 
tection of the back. Although the skin appears as 
though it could resist all friction, it is astonishing 
how quickly a sore becomes established, and how 
difficult this is to heal. The mahouts are exceedingly 
careless, and require much supervision; the only 
method to ensure attention is to hold them respon¬ 
sible, and to deduct so many rupees from their pay 
should the backs of their animals be unsound. 
With proper care an elephant ought never to suffer, 
as the pad should be made to fit its figure specially. 
The usual method is to cover the back from the 
shoulders to the hips with a large quilted pad 
stuffed with cotton, about 2 ^ inches thick. In my 
opinion, wool is preferable to cotton, and, instead 
of this coverlet being compact, there should be an 
opening down the centre, to avoid all pressure upon 
the spine. A quilted pad stuffed with wool, 3 
inches thick, with an opening down the middle, 
would rest comfortably upon the animal’s back, and 
would entirely relieve the highly-arched backbone. 
