In the hill districts of Eastern Assam and Burma, I have had many opportunities of seeing bamboo leaves used as a complete substitute for ordinary grass and hay in the feeding of horses, without any marked difference in the condition of the animals. This giant-grass, if given in too large quantities, is apt to have a laxative effect. Only the tender leaves and young shoots should be employed, because the old leaves are not only unwholesome on account of the large amount of silica (flint) contained in their surface, but from the same cause, they are also apt to inflict severe wounds on the tongue and lips during mastication. "During the Chin-Lushai Expedition in 1889-90, the animals with the force got nothing else for nearly eight months. I had three ponies of my own that were worked moderately hard the whole time, and they remained in good condition. The transport mules, which were worked very hard indeed in a very trying climate, did not fall away nearly as much as I expected" (Nunn).