The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-07-01
Catching Elephants.

Mr. June, who arrived some time since in New
York, from CeyIon, with a cargo of elephant2, de-
jscribes to the Tribune the mode of catching mem :
Mr.. June had the greatest success in the low
lands 10 the northern part of the islands, near An
iarajahpoora. The method of catching elephants,
a. described by him, must be very exciting kind
of business The first step is TO make kraaL or
pen, in some spot where the animals abound. This
10 constructed on heavy posts, set upright in the
ground, closely hound together with withes, and
made firm by other posts resting against them on the
outside as stays. The kraal forms three sides OF
square, having aperture on the fourth for the
entrance of te elephants, from each side OF which
extspds a long palisade, slanting outward, like the
mouth Of funnel. When all is completed, the
natives lay in wait till fine herd has wandered
near the opening of the trap; then, surrounding
them, they urge Them forward with shouts and
filing of nuskeis, till the frightened animals rush
through the entrance and are safe within the kraai
Now comes the work of catching and securing
them, which would be a difficult and dangerous
task were il not for the assistance rendered by
tame elephants, trained for the purpose. One OF
these animals will gradually entice one of the i'm
prisoned herd to a little distance from his fellows,
and engage his attention by gentle caress. He
rubs his ears, strokes his trunk softly, and mumbles
phrases of eephantine endearment, until the sus-
cepibe beast is completely beguiled by these to-
kens of affection. Presently second tame ele-
phant comes up on the other side and repeats the
process, till The most complete confidence is estab-
nsneu. lnen, at tno TgL peTiOu, tiley urxtcIously
twine both their trunks around the trunk of their
victim, and hold him as in wise. These elephants
wear collars around their shoulders, to which stout
ropes are fastened. While the trunk of the wild
ahimal is held, two or three natives are busy in
fastening these ropes to his hind legs, and he is
thus incapable of moving either forward or back
Ward, except as his loving friends allow. He is
then taken and made fast to a tree, where he is
suffered TO remain three or four days without food
drink At the end of this time, the tame ee-
lan,s brought up again, and after being Sc
lred he is taken down TO a stream and wa'ered
is approached very cautiously at FIRST, but in the
purse of ten days or two weeks becomes doclle
haugh TO be driven at large with the tame beasts
The natives have another way of taking them
1t it is not often practiced. The elephant like all
ntlemen of the tropics; is fond of a siesta during
e heat of the day. Occasionally he will rest his
kige bulk against some convenient tree, and take
an hours dozs with great satisfaction. Some Of
the Cingaese are daring enough, at this time, tt
creep stealihily through the jungle till they reach
his very feet Notwithstanding his thick hide, the
elephant is very sensitive to touch. The native
provided with a rope, the other end of which il
made fast to a tree, touches very gently the hind
leg of the animal, who lifting his foot to shake of
the supposed fly, Instantly gives an opportunity fol
TO be slipped under. The same process il
repeated with the other foot, and the elephant
: wakes up and finds himself caught. Large mum
b4rs are shot, principally by the British Officers
stationed in Ceyon, who appear TO enjoy sporting
on such gigantic scale. A cool head and sure
ain are all that is required. slight hollow in The
ELEPHANTS forehead, just between and above hi
eyes, is penetrable by mnsket ball, and single
s4ot is generally sufficient to bring him down."