The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-06-21
From the N. Y Tribune.
Elephant Hunting In CeylOn,

Elephant hunting In CeylOn,
n few days since, we had an opportunity o
conyersiDg with Mr. Stebbings June, who arrived
from Ceylon about three weeks ago in the barl
Regatta, bringing with him the cargo Of elephant,
which now accompany Mr.. Barnum's travelling
menagerie. During lis visit. Mr.. June wa,
obliged to traverse the greater part of the Isl
ana IN his search for sufficient number Of ele
phants of the size and quality for M imposing
exhibition. Consequently, he saw a great dea
OF the wild tropical regions OF the interior nnc
OF the character and customs Of the Ciprnlese
We give herewith, an outline of hi. experience
which, II not quite equal to Mr. Gordon Cum
ming South African stories, still furnishes All in
teresting chapter cf adventure
Mr.. June, with Mr. Nutter, of Boston, snilet
on hls elephantIne expedition ir July last, and ar
rived at Point de Gale, n seaport on the south
western extremity of Ceylon, in the early par
OF October. This port and 1rincomalee, on tn,
north eastern coast, are the only large harbor
which the island possesses. The first object o
aessrs June aud Nutter, on landing, was to pro
cure some elephants, either from ;he government
authorities or from the temples, which own larg,
numbers OF them, and thus avoid the necessity o
catching and tanning wild animals. In this, how
ever they were disappointed The new Cover
nor had just entered on his duties, and all Otticia
arrangements seemed to be in 4 confused and un
satisfactory state. Beside, many of the roads il
the interior had been injured by severe rains, anC
greater number OF the animals than usual wa,
required, Tor the purpose of repairing them. Ac
cordIhYy, alter reaching Colombo, the maritime
capital OF the country, which lies on the westerr
coast about sixty miles north Of Point de Gale
and finding no chance Of procuring what he want
i et y.l 80, -.
Handy, IN the Interior and forty miles distant -
An excellent carriage road has been constructed
between the two places. on which a mail coacl
makes three trips every week Handy. which !,
large town, situated on a beautiful table Land
100 feet above the sea and surrounded by noun
tans, was the residence Of the kings of HANDY
the native moaarchs Of the island, preyious IL
their overthrow by the English, in tslb. Here
again, Mr. June was disappointed in his hope q
finding elephants for sale, and notwithstanding
the rainy season had Just set in and the underta
king was considered hazardous in the extreme
he determined to take to the jungles aud select {
shpIoad from among the wild herds.
In order to understand the nature Of such ar
expedition, some account of the topography o
the island Is necessary. The shores Of Ceylor
are generally low, although in the southern part
blum and rocky. For some distance inland tn,
ground Is level, and for the most part cultivated
berg covered with fields Of paddy "a coarse kiuL
Oi rce) and groves Of cnnaplun. Toward the
centre rises INTO table.l.nd, from 1000 tc
5000 feet above the sea. and almost entirely GOV
cred with dense and luxuuant forests. Thi,
gradually rises into mountain chain, which d.
vdcs the island from north to south. into two
nearly equal parts Adams Peak, about thirty
tb.yvp NJ Il do,
more than 5000 feet and has been considered the
highest Of the range. Mr. June. however, informs
Us that on his way from Handy to Fort Patrick
east Of the mountains, he passed still higher
peak. This geographical division Of the island
i, slngularly enough, division Of climate also
Tremendous floods of rain deuging one side
while on the other the wateris carefully boarded
to prevent a scarcity. The season shifts with the
monsoon, which blows from tn. southwest from
April TO September and from the northeast from
November TO February. Tie elephants, who
prefer the rainy season. range in the thick Jungle
covering the tableland 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 ma
tive assistants Nr. June started for the h,unts Of
the elephants in the jungles northwest of HANDY
while Mr.. Nutter explored the southern part o
the island. They were obliged to leave the trav
eled road, and trust themselves TO the wild iun
gle paths leading through the uncultvated dis
trlcts ircquented by the animals These region,
are covered with a growth of shrubbery and
small trees, 50 thckly matted together with
vines, that It is impossible to force the body
through. Here and there, out Of this sea o. veg.
citation, rise the trunks Of enormous trees. grow.
ing more frequent in the neighborhood of the
mountains, where they frequently form forests Of
the grandcst character. In hunting elephants
the paths made by the natives cannot ALWAYS be
followed, but new ones must be cut, which il a
very slow and toilsome work. The elephants,
however, find the Jungle no obstacle 10 thrlr PRO
gress, but with their heads lowered, crash thro'
1t at full speed The noise of herd in motion
can be heard at a great distance.
Mr.. June had the greatest success in the low
lands in the northern part of tie island near An.
arajahpoora. The method of catching elephants.
as described by him, must be very exciting kind
of business. Tbs first step is to make krGal, or
pen, IN some spots where the animals abound. -
This is constructed of heavy posts, set upright in
the ground, closely bound together with withes
and made firm by other posts resting against
them on the outside, ms STAYS. The kygal forms
three sides of n square, having an aperture on
the fourth for the entrance of the elephants from
each side Of which extends long paiisade, 81 mt.
ing 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
then, surrounding them, they urge them forward
with shouts and firing of muskets. I'LL the fright.
ened animals rush through the entrance and are
safe within the Erdai
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 entice one Of the
herd to little distance from his frl
lows, and engage his attention BY n gentle caress.
He ruhs his ears, strokes his trunk softly and
mumbles phrases Of elcphantine cndeafmcnt.
until the susceptible beast IL completely bcguicd
by these tokens OF affection Presently second
tame elephant comes up on the other side and
repeats the process, till the most complete conf
dcucc IS established, Then, Mt the right period,
they dcNterou.ly twine both their trunks around
the trunk of the victim, and hold him rs in vice.
These elephants wear collars around their shoul
ders, to which stout ropes are fastened. While
the trunk of the wild animal SHIELD two or three
natives nre busy in fastening these ropes 10 his
hind legs, and he is thus incapable Of moving Ell
ther forward or backward. except NJ his loving
friends allow He is then taken and made htt
to tree, where he is suffered to remain three or
four days without food or drink At the end Of
this time, the tame elephant. are brought IN
again and alter being secured, he i taken down