4501\8-7

passing a few temporary Naga huts arrive at the loading site proper. The
Naga homes are the ultimate of primitivness being merely a low super frame-

work structure with grasses carelessly piled against them. fi =

ay

 
 
   

Nothing compared to the fine Naga homes of the hills and__

  

  

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river environs. There are many spectacular things to be (te he
such as Indian homes, construction activities, the gungle proper ete but the
dominant attraction is the actral operation and activity of the elephant herd.
Of the 40 elephants use in this camp approximately 30 are used as logging
animals while the remaining few are employed in the loading process. The gen-
eral appearance of these elephants will not vary from the ordinary circus
elephants. However there are a few things which are slightly different.
First one notices the result of a hard wouicing animal in the form of prespirat-
ion or dampness of the body mainly confined to the frictional surfaces of the
harness and particularly around the eye. These lacrimal tears streak down to
the ventral surface of the jaw. The tail frequently beats out the dust from
the back and hind quarters but of just what value this tail might have is quest—
ionable as I know not of any insect pest that could possible penetrate the sur-
face of the hide. Occaisionally moisture is drained from the mouth by use of
the trunk siphon and then forcefully expelled between his front legs. It is
difficult to tell whether this excessive moist: re come from the mouth or trunk.
The eye is a watchful one and is always trained on the observer and while it
will not deviate from his normal course he will always regard you with a crit-
ical inspection. |

Of the two groups the loading animals are the ones more highly trained

and in general the larger in size. The duties of the logging elephants are to

drag the cut logs from the jungle to the loading area being apparently a very

simple job. The harness used for this purpose is of the usual type and does
not vary from our own pack saddle except in proportions and design. The mein

support on the back is massive and nodoubt takes most of the strain. However