The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-30


assi-sg ~ laa From une New York Tribune May as.
sft's%tAt Elephant nuatins an csyi""
few DAYS since we had opportunity OF conyefsing
with Mr. Seedlings jane, who arrived from Ceylon
about three weeks ago ~ the parQue hega' bringing
with him the cargo OF elephants which now accompany
Mr. Barnum's travelling menagerie. During his visit
MI June was obliged 10 traverse the greater part of the
island in his search for sufficient number o elephants
of the size aud quality required Tor imposing exhbi
ton. Consequently, he saw great deal OF the wild
topical regions OF the interior and OF the character and
Of his experience which, Il not quite equal TO Mr. Cor
don Cummings South African stories, sill furnishes
interesting chapter OF adventure
MIR. June, with MIR. Nutter, of Boston, sailed on his
elephantne expedition in July last. and arrived at Point
de Gale, seaport on the southwestern extremity OF Cey
Ion, IN the early part OF October This port and Inn
GONZALEZ, on the northeastern coast, the only large
hsrbors which the island possesses The first object OF
Messrs June and Nutte landing was TO procure some
elephant either from the government authorizes or from
the temples, which own large numbers OF them, and
thus avoid the necessity OF catching and iamng wild an
finals. In this, however, they were disappointed The
new governor had Just entered on his duties and all OIL
hcia arrangements seemed to be in confused and un
satisfactory slate Besides many OF the roads IN the
interior had been injured by severe rams and greater
number Of the ANIMALS than usual was Tor he
Colombo the maritime capital OF the country, which
lies on the western coast about 60 miles north OF Point
de Gale and finding chance of procuring what he
wanted, Mr. June determined TO start for the city of
Handy, in the interior, and forty miles distant An
celient cariageroad has been constructed between the
week Randy, which is large town, situated on a
beautiful table land 100 feet above the sea- and
rounded BY mountains the residence OF the kings OF
Handy, the native monaIchs OF the island previous to
their overthrow by the English in 1915. Here, again.
Mr. June was disappointed in his hope OF finding ele,
plants for sae and Notwithstanding the rainy season had
Just set in, and the undertaking considered hazard
the extreme he determined 10 take 10 the Iungles
and select ship load from among the wild herds ,
In order understand the nature OF such an exped
ton account Of the topography OF the island is
necessary. The shores of Ceyon generally low, al
though the southern part bluff and rocky For some
cultivated, being covered with fields Of paddy "a coarse
kind OF rce) and groves of cinnamon Toward the CEN
tire it rises into tableland from 1900 to 5000 feet
and luxurant forests This gradually rises into
tain CHAIN which divides the island from north TO south,
into nearly equal parts. Adams Peak. about 80 miles
southwest OF Randy, attains an altitude OF mere than
5000 feet and has been considered the highest OF the
range Mr.. june however, informs us that on his way
% q
the island is. snguarly enough, a division OF climate
alsotremendous floods of rain deluging one side, while
on the other the water is carefully boarded TO prevent
scarcity The season shifts with the monsoon, which
blows from the southwest from April to September, and
from the northeast from November to February. The
elephants, who prefer the rainy season, range IN the
thick jungle covering the table and hills around the
base of the mountain chain, following the rains from one
side of the island TO the other.
With guide, interpreter and number OF native as
sstants Mr. June started for the hauns OF the elephants
in the junges northwest OF Handy while MIR Nutter ex
plored the southern part OF the island. They were
obliged leave the travelled road and trust themselves
the wild Jungle paths leading through the uncultvated
districts freqsented by the ANIMALS. These regions are
covered with growth of shTubbey and small trees, so
thcky matted together with vines that IT is impossible
force the body through Here and there, out OF this
OF vegetation the trunks of enormous trees, grow
ing more frequent in the neg hborhood OF the mountains,
where they frequently form forests of the grandest char
acer In hunting elephants, the paths made by the ma
ves cannot always be followed, but new ones must be
cut which is very slow and toilsome work. The ele.
phants however, lind the jungle obstacle to their pro-
gress but, with their heads lowered crash through il AT
full speed The noise OF herd in motion can be heard
Mi June had the greatest success in the low lands in
the northern part OF the island Anaajahpoora The
method OF catching elephants, described by him. must
be very exciting kind OF business The hst step Is TO
make krdat, or pen, In some spot where the animals
abound This constructed OF heavy posts set upght
in the ground closely bound together with whes, and
made rm by other posts resting against them the out
sde, stays The kradt forms three sides OF square,
having aperture the fourth for the entrance oil the
elephants from each side OF which extends long pail
SADIE slanling outward like the mouth OF a funnel When
all is completed. the natives lay in wait till fine herd
has wandered near the opening OF the trap; htn sur
rounding them, they urge them forward with shouts and
firing OF muskets TILL the frightened animals rush through
the entrance and are safe within the kyaoi
Now comes the work OF catching and securing them,
which would be difficult and dangerous task, were II
not for the assistance rendered by tame elephants trained
for the purpose One OF these animals will gradually en-
tice one of the imprisoned herd 10 little distance iron
his fellows, and engage his attention by gentle earess.
He rubs his strokes his trunk soitly and mumbles
phrases of elephatine endearment until the epbe
beast completely begued BY these tokens OF affection
Presently second tame elephant comes up on the other
SIDE and repeats the process till the most complete conf
dence is established Then at the right PERIOD they dex.
erously Irvine both their trunks around the trunk OF the
victim, and hold him in a vice. These elephants
collars around their shoulders to which stout ropes
fAstened While the trunk OF the wild animal Is held,
two three natives busy in fastening these ropes to
his hind legs and he is thus incapable OF moving either
forward backward, except HIS loving friends allow.
He il then taken and made fast iree where he is SUI
fered 10 remain three four days without food drink
Al the end OF this hme the tame elephants brought
up sGan, and after being secured he is taken down TO
stresm and watered He is approached very cautiously
at first, but in the Of ten days two weeks be-
docile enough to be driven at large with the tame
beasts
The natives have another way OF taking them, but
il not often practised The elephant like all gentlemen
living in the tropics. fond OF sesia during the heat OF
the day. Occasionally he will rest bis huge bulk against,
convenient tfee and take hours doze with great
satisfaction Some OF the Cingalese daring enough
al this time TO creep s,ealthily through the jungle lIl
they reach hs very feet. Notwithstanding his thick
hide. the elephant il very sensitive to touch The ma
tive. provided with rope. the other end OF which is
msde last to touches very gently the hind leg OF
the animal who. lifting his foot TO shake of the sup
be slipped under The same process is repeated with the
other foot, and the elephant wakes up and finds himself
caught Large numbers shot. principally by the
Brish officers stationed in Ceyon. who appear TO enjoy
sporting on such gigantic scale. cool head and
sure aim all that ~ required. slight hollow in the
elephants forehead, Just between and above his eyes
penetrable BY musket ball, and single shot is gen
orally sufficient to bring him down.
:, The Csyon elephants divided into two casses
the fslrk0s ed and 0I,0r.