Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-06-25
ELEPHANT HUNTING IN CEYLON.

ELEPHANT HUNTING IN CEYLON.
A few days since we had an opportunity
Of conversing with Mr.. Slebbings June, who
arrived from Ceylon about 3 weeks ego in
the bark Regatta, bringing with him the car
60 of elephants which now accompany Mr..
Barnum's travelling mensgerie. During his
visit, Mr. June was obliged TO traverse che
greater par, of the Island in search for a
sufficient number of elephants of the size
and quality required for an imposing exhi-
biiion. Consequently, he saw great deal
Of the wild tropical regions of the interior
and of the character and customs OF the
Cirgalese. We give; herewith, an outline
Of bis experience, which, if not quite equal
to Mr.. Carbon Commings' South African
stories, still furnishes all interesting chapter
of adventure.
MIR. June, with MIR. Nuter, of Boston,
sailed on his elephanline expedition in Ju-
Ily last, and arrived at Poin. de Gale, sea-
port on the southwestern extremity of Cey-
lon, in the early part Of October. This
port and Trincomalee on the northeastern
coast, are the only large harbors which the
island possesses. The first object Of Mess.
June and Nu,,er, on landing, was TO procure
some elephants, either from the Govern
meni authorities, or from the temples, which
own large numbers Of them, and thus avoid
the necessity Of catching and tanning wild
lanimals. In this, however, they were dis
appointed. The new governor had just en-
tered on his duties, and all official arrange
ments seemed 10 be in a confused and un
satisfactory state. Beside, many Of the roads
in the interior had been injured by severe
rains, and greater number of animals than
usual was required for the purpose of re-
pairing them. Accordingly after reaching
Colombo, the maritime capital Of the coun
try, which lies on the western coast, about
80 miles north Of Point de Gale, and find
ing no chance Of procuring what he wanted,
Mr.. June determined TO start for the city of
Handy, in the interior, and lorty miles dis
tan,. An excellent carriage road had been
consirucled between the places, on which
mail coach makes three trips every week.
Randy, which is large town, situated on
beautiful table-land 1900 feet above the
sea and surrounded by mountains, was the
residence of the kings of Handy, The native
monarchs Of the island, previous to their
overthrow by the English, in 1915. Here
again, Mr.. June was disappointed Of his
hope of finding elephants for sale; and not
wilhslandig the rainy season had just set in,
and the undertaking was considered hazard
Gus in the extreme, he determined TO take
to the jungles and select ship load from
among the wild herds.
In order TO understand the nature of such
an expedition, some account Of the topo-
| r IL leland ,.in bo
The shores of Ceylon are generally low,
although in the Southern part bluff and
rocky For some distance inland, the
ground is level, and for the most part culli-
valed, being covered with fields of paddy
ia coarse kind Of rice) end groves of CHINA
mon. Toward the centre, it rises into
table land, from 1000 to 5000 feet above
the sea, and almost entirely covered with
dense and luxuriant forests. This gradually
rises into mountain chain, which divides
the Island from north to south, into two
nearly equal parts. Adams Peak, about
thirty miles southwest Of Handy, atlains
an altitude Of more than 5000 feet, and has
been considered the highes. of the range
Mr. June, however, informs us that on his
way from Kanday to Fort Patrick, east OF
the mountains, he passed still higher peak.
This geographical division of the island is,
singularly enough, division OF climate al
so-tremendous floods of ra delug ing one
side, while on the other the water is care
fully 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 10
February. The elephants, who prefer the
rainy season, range in the thick Jungle COW
ering the table land and hill around The base
OF the mountain chain, following the rains
from one side of The island to the other.
With guide, interpreter and a number
Of native assistants, Mr.. June started for The
haunts of the elephants in the jungles north
west Of Handy, while Mr.. N utter explored
the southern part Of the island. They were
obliged 10 leave the travelled road, and .rus,
themselves TO the wild jungle paths leading
through the uncutiva,ed district freauented
by the animals. These regions are covered
with small shrubbery and small ,rees, so
thickly matted together with vines, ,ha, il,
. is impossible to force The body through
Here and there, out of this sea of vegetation.
, rise the trunks Of enormous trees, growing
more frequent III the neighborhood of the
, mountains, where they frequently form for
e ests Of the grsndest character in hunting
e elephants The paths made by the natives can
: not be always followed, bu, new ones must