Constitution of the Kandyan Kingdom. 213 
feet above the ground, strengthened by four cross bars of cocoa-nut or 
other trees from ten to fifteen inches diameter. 
It is usually of quadrangular form in plain ground, but sometimes cir- 
cular or irregular, according to the nature of the spot selected, and contains 
a space of two or four acres. Within this area a rude platform is prepared 
upon a tree, or, if there be none convenient, upon a pillar planted for the 
purpose, in which four or five men are stationed with cords and nooses ; 
two gateways are left in the gala, about ten feet wide and nearly opposite 
to each other, in order that the elephants, when driven, may suppose that 
there is a clear passage through. 
A herd of wild elephants having been found, the Galladdo and their 
people collect their decoy elephants, of which the greater part should be 
females, and proceeding into the jungle unite them with the wild herd. 
People of all classes within the desavony are called out and form a circle, 
or rather an irregular line, surround the elephants, and keep constant 
guard with guns, lances, long pointed poles called ritili, and swords, stand- 
ing at intervals of one or two fathoms from each other in open or small 
jungle ground, and of ten or fifteen fathoms if there be the aid of rocks or 
steep places difficult for elephants to pass. They erect small huts of talapat 
leaves for shelter, and sometimes strengthen their position by a fence of 
trees felled on the spot, and deter the approach of the elephants by bran- 
dishing their weapons and by threats, and by fires kindled throughout the 
night. 
The hunt usually lasts from one to seven or eight days, according to the 
distance of the wild elephants from the gada, and the facility of driving them, 
and at each day’s advance the guards of the line close in. If there be a re- 
markably refractory elephant, they sometimes shoot him; but this necessity 
seldom oceurs. 
In the mean time the Kurwwe people remain constantly in the jungle, 
near the elephants, armed only with henda and ritili, and partly lead- 
ing the wild herd by means of decoy elephants, and partly impelling 
them by voices, incitements, and the menace of weapons, thus drive 
them gradually to the gala, and as soon as they have entered, the gateways 
are suddenly closed by cross bars. 
The men stationed in the tree now lay their nooses on the ground, and 
entice the elephants, both tame and wild, around it, by casting down fodder, 
particularly plantain trees, of which they are fondest ; and as soon as the 
