Ill 
THE ELEPHANT 
8i 
which would thus be exposed to a free current of 
air, and would remain hard instead of becoming 
sodden through perspiration. Upon this soft layer 
the large pad is fixed. This is made of the strongest 
sacking, stuffed as tight as possible with dried reeds 
of a tough variety that is common in most tanks; this 
is open in the centre and quite a foot thick at the 
sides, so that it fills up the hollow, and rests the weight 
upon the ribs at a safe distance from the spine. 
There are various contrivances in the shape of 
saddles. The ordinary form for travelling is the 
char-jarma; this is an oblong frame, exceedingly 
strong, which is lashed upon the pad secured by 
girths. It is stuffed with cotton, and neatly covered 
with native cloth. A stuffed back passes down the 
centre like a sofa, and two people on either side sit 
dos-a-dos, as though in an Irish car. Iron rails pro¬ 
tect the ends, and swing foot-boards support the feet. 
This is, in my opinion, the most comfortable way of 
riding, but some care is necessary in proportioning 
the weights to ensure a tolerable equilibrium, other¬ 
wise, should the route be up and down steep nullahs, 
the char-jarma will shift upon one side, and become 
most disagreeable to those who find themselves on 
the lower level. Natives prefer a well-stuffed pad, 
as they are accustomed to sit with their legs doubled 
up in a manner that would be highly uncomfortable 
to Europeans. Such pads are frequently covered 
with scarlet cloth and gold embroidery, while the 
elephant is dressed in a silk and gold cloth reaching 
to its knees. The face and head are painted in various 
VOL. I G 
