Year: 1875

is conscious of his condition he becomes
enraged and shows n fruitless fury, which
soon exhausts him. Hunger and thirst,
followed by great exhaustion, completely
subdue him and he will then allow him
self to be led by his deceitful companion
to places prepared for the training of ele-
plants, where, after a while, he becomes
satisfied and contented with his new con
dition. There are numerous devices used
to decoy wild elephants by means of the
female.


The elephant hunters go into the vicin-
ity where the animals feed, and prepare
Enclosures of great strength, sometimes in
a ravine. The trained elephants are sent
out and mingle with the wild ones, and
will often deeoy-a number into the in
closure, where they are secured. Some
times the hunters will surround large
herd of wild ones, and with loud noise
alarm the herd, when the tame one will
rush to the inclosure, and the wild ones
often follow.


It is often the case that one of the large
tame elephants will Join a herd of wild
ones and engage some in battle, and while
the wild ones are defending themselves,
| the hunters secure them. It is very per-
| ilous work, for no animal can be more
dangerous than an enraged elephant.
Elephants were very extensively used
by the native Kings OF India in all their
campaigns. They were a necessary ap-
pendage in the royal retinue, and in all
public demonstrations.


They are now extensively used for carry
ing burdens, transporting baggage, draw
ing artillery over rough roads and difficult
places, but they are seldom used in battle.
The English now use them Just as the
natives did. Wherever railways extend
the elephants are not used, but they are in
all other places


In recent hunt by a Rajah, north of
Lucknow, twenty-five elephants were Sc
cured, and they were all valuable.


In Northern India elephants are scarce,
and their slaughter in all India has been
prohibited under severe penalties. Under
the protection of that law they have be-
come numerousin in the Madras Presidency,
and in many parts very destructive. Mr..
Saunderson, the Superintendent of Canals
in the Madras Presidency, a man of large
experience, has succeeded in one grand
hunt in capturing over fifty elephants. He
prepared a yard of fifteen acres in the bed
of n stream, which had perpendicular
sides. There was a large number of
sportsmen from all parts of India, and
large herd was surrounded, and with
trumpets and horns driven into the trap.
After being confined short time in this
large inclOsure they were forced into
small timber yard Of great strength. When
once safely in the yard, the process Of
starving and subduing by tame elephants
was successful These wild elephants
range over vast tracts, and everywhere
spread desOlation in their track; there
are now two other large herds on the
hills which this same hunter expects to
secure. 1t NAV be years before either
one of these herds will be caught in the
right place to be driven into one of these
strong Enclosures. Many years since
elephants were so abundant and so bold
that their destruction became necessity
The process adopted by the elephant
catchers to tame the wild ones is cruel
and often destructive to them and the Gov
ernment will not permit the hunt unless
positively necessary. There is generally
a sort of king among these elephants, and
the whole herd will follow when he leads
but they instinctively keep away from the
towns, where they seem to know they
will be attacked with firearms. 1t is often
| the case that this king elephant is also Il
rouge elephant. These rouges will de-
stroy hundreds of crops, and they often
| grow bold, and will take possession of u
road and prevent anyone from passing.
| These animals seem TO owe n grudge to
dam in the river, and take great delight
in destroying it. Elephants have terri
Bile dread of the tiger, and as soon as they
see one they lift their proboscis high in
the air and become furious, and often un-
manageable. 1t is very seldom that an
! elephant can be forced TO face the tiger
Letter from, Hon. N. F.. Graves to N Y.
Observer.