The Washington bee., 1899-07-01
ELEPHANTS IN THE ARMY.
Some Points as to Their Employment
by the British in India,

by the British in India.
One of the most interesting features
OF the English army life presented to
the Iayman in India is furnished by
the remarkable efficiency Of the ele-
phant brigade, most highly developed
through the skill Of the Burmese in
handling the giant animals. Their
usefulness in India can scarcely be
imagined by one not familiar with the
amount and variety of work which
they accomplish. but it would be a
serious mistake to imagine that this
degree of usefulness is attained
through any aptitude of the unwieldy
animals or natural tendency toward
1t. 1t is due solely and entirely to the
wonderful ability of the natives in
training the huge animals and over
coming their natural inclinations.
This cannot be too highly praised.
Neither must it be imagined that the
use Of elephants in army life is not at
tended by great disadvantages, not the
least of which is the difficulty with
which they are transported.
Naturally the elephant is not an in
telligent animal. He can be taught re-
markable things. in which his strength
and endurance play an important part.
He can never, however, perform these
feats without continual attendance and
direction. Abstractly, his power OF
work is unappreciable; when directed
by skillful hands, however, 1t is re-
markable.
The transportation facilities which
are provided for the sole use of the
elephants are quite as remarkable. /
witnessed recently the loading and de-
training Of a lot of elephants on the
Madras Railway. Both were remark
able processes. In loading rope is
fastened to his fore-leg, and a lot OF
natives haul and pull at it to induce
the animal to take the first steps into
the car. This is only accomplished,
however. by admonishing him in the
haunch by means Of tusk. The first
step taken is rapidly followed by the
others until he stands safely on the
car.
This portion of the task is accom-
plished comparatively easily, however,
when compared with the next. AT nrst
he is timid and slightly frightened,
but when the car starts his fear is won
derful to behold. Though he may ride
a hundred times he never overcomes
this fear. though it is much more pro-
nounced when he takes his initial ride
after. say two months acquaintance
with civilization. He rends the air
with wild truTpetings. endeaVors 1rult-
lessly to escape. and only ceases MS
efforts when the car has again come
TO Standstlll.
OF course. wonderfully strong cars
are necessary to hold him. They are
made completely Of iron, with nuge
iron bars rising to a height OF ten or
twelve feet above the platform. Often
these cars are rendered useless by the
twisting of the bars. due TO the applca-
ton of the occupants remarkaole
strength.
In transporting the elephant by sea
the difficulties are almost as great
They are raised by means OF a canvas
sling from the wharf to the snip
struggling to escape and rendlns tne
air with the cries. Once aboard snlE
thev are easily managed. the motloI
not affecting them, because they do no
see the moving panorama before them
Unloading them is easy. They are
lowered to raft beside the ship ane
allowed to swim ashore. They take
TO the water easily and are excellen
swimmers. being able TO swim elSht o.
ten miles at stretch without tlrlhs'
The size of the Indian elephant /:
usually about eight feet in helght an
ten feet in length. The male is llttl'
larger. perhaps. eleven 1eet, dn'
weighfng about 5000 pounds.