When the elephant is to be urged forward, the point of the _haunkus_ is pressed into the back of his head, while the _mohout’s_ toes press under both the animal’s ears: when it is to be stopped, the _mohout_ places the hook part against the elephant’s forehead; and, throwing his weight back, occasions considerable pain, which soon induces to obedience: when it is to turn to the left, the _mohout_ presses the toes of his right foot under the right ear of the elephant, at the same time goading him about the tip of the right ear; thereby causing the animal to turn its head, and to change its direction: to turn to the right, _vice versâ_. When the elephant is to lie down, in order to be laden, the _haunkus_ is pressed perpendicularly upon the crown of the head: but most elephants, after a year or two, become very well acquainted with the words of command; obeying them readily, without being mounted, or even approached. Each _mate_, or _cooly_, is generally provided with a cutting bill, called a _d’how_, for the purpose of lopping off the lesser branches of _barghuts_, _peepuls_, and other trees, in common use as fodder. An elephant will usually carry as much of these on his back, as he can consume in two days; but it is not customary to load more than will last for one day, when on a march; as it would be superfluous. Boughs, as thick as a man’s arm, are very easily chewed by this stupendous animal; which often uses one, of full a hundred weight, to drive the flies from its body. Besides the _d’how_, each _mate_ is furnished with a spear, about six or seven feet in length, having a long pyramidal blade, ornamented at its point with a tassel, and armed at its other extremity with a blunter’s pike: the former is used to urge the animal to exertion, the _mate_ goading his hind quarters; the latter serves to stick the implement upright in the ground, or to press upon the elephant’s arm while the load is putting on, or the rider ascending into the howdah. The dress of the _mohout_ is, in most points, similar to that of the _khedmutgar_; and that of the _mate_ is, if any thing, but little better than the ordinary costume of poor laborers, though their pay may be rated from three to four rupees per month: in those provinces where elephants are caught, provisions are extremely cheap; there, few _mates_ receive more than a rupee and a half, or two rupees. The occupation of a _mohout_ is considered by no means conducive to longevity; a premature decrepitude generally disqualifies after a few years of service. This is supposed to arise from the motion of the elephant; but may, perhaps very justly, be attributed to the too great intervals of leisure, which are generally passed in conviviality.