9
smaller canes are interlaced to give the frame strength, and also to hold small
articles. Another kind has a light framework of wood with interlacing of light
canes or bamboo. Very often little attention appears to be paid to the carrying
capacity of these baskets, for I have seen some so small as to be utterly use-
less. The average carrying capacity, I should say, is from 300 to 350 pounds.
All these patterns of howdahs fit snugly on the back.
The names of the different parts of the gear employed by the Burmese and
Karens are as follows:—
English.
Howdah or Cradle
Pad
Girth
Crupper ...
Neck-rope
Fetters ...
Goad
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Burmese.
Kah
Kon-hla
Wun-bat
Me-thain-cho
Le-bat-cho
Yin-thain.
Htoo.
Kyoon.
...
...
...
...
...
Karen.
Tsu.
Ka-chaw-ye.
Swe-pa-ko.
A-mi-bla.
Kaw-pe.
The le-thain, or neck-band, is a rope round the animal's neck to which the
clapper is suspended, and by which the driver hauls himself into his seat.
Pads.—During the dry season raw hides are used; as a rule, six or seven
pieces are laid on the back. In the rains bark is substituted. The bark is obtained
from one of the following trees : Malaing-bin, Broussonetia papyifera, or the Shaw-
bin, Sterculia ramosa (red), Sterculia versicolor (white), Sterculia ornata
(yellow). These sheets of bark appear to afford ample protection to the back.
From three to six layers are used.
Girth.—This may be a stoutish rope, but is more commonly made of plaited
rattans or creepers, and these rattan-ropes are very strong.
Crupper.—This consists of a semi-circular piece of wood with a hole bored
at each end to receive the crupper-rope 5 very often, however, the cane fetter is
used as a crupper.
Neck-rope.—A rattan, or ordinary one-inch rope, is employed for this pur-
pose.
Htoo.—The plaited cane hoop for fettering has been described.
Goad.—The massive iron Indian goad is not used by the Burmans. The
Burman implement consists of a small bar of iron, slightly bent at one extremity,
which is pointed but not sharp. At the other end there is a loop by which it can
be fixed to a light handle of cane or bamboo. No severe injury to the head can be
inflicted with it. The Karens very often only employ a piece of male bamboo
pointed at one end.
The Siamese howdahs are square or oblong in shape ; the frames are made
of wood, Those in upper Siam are rather small, about four feet long, two broad,
and eighteen inches deep; those used by the wealthier classes are rather larger.
The advantages of the gear are, that it is simple, very light, cool, does not
cause undue pressure, thus saving the backs of the animals. It can be taken off
or put on by anyone in a very short time. No special knowledge is required to
load the baskets, and though fragile in appearance, they are capable of standing a
heavy strain. In a country like this, repairs to any part of it can be carried out
by the wayside; the only implement necessary is a dah (sword), which every
Burman carries about him when at work. The obvious objection to the employ-
ment of such gear is the want of space for carrying stores.
Value of Elephants as Transport in Burma and adjacent countries.
My experience of elephants as transport animals is that they are very good
provided the animals receive proper care and supervision, they do not, as a rule,
suffer much from disease, and are capable of performing a great amount of