Mode of constrtiction. 113 



enclosure, but to enable them to bathe and cool them- 

 selves throughout the process of training after capture. 



In constructing the corral itself, care is taken to avoid 

 disturbing the trees or the brushwood within the included 

 space, and especially on the side by which the elephants 

 are to approach, . where it is essential to conceal the 

 stockade as much as possible by the density of the 

 foliage. The trees used in the structure are from ten to 

 twelve inches in diameter ; and are sunk about three feet 

 in the earth, so as to leave a length of from twelve to 

 fifteen feet above ground ; with spaces between each 

 stanchion sufficiently wide to permit a man to glide 

 through. The uprights are made fast by transverse 

 beams, to which they are lashed securely by ratans and 

 flexible chmbing plants, or as they are called "jungle 

 ropes," and the whole is steadied by means of forked 

 supports, which grasp the tie beams, and prevent the 

 work from being driven outward by the rush of the wild 

 elephants. 



On the occasion I am now attempting to describe, the 

 space thus enclosed was about 500 feet in length by 250 

 wide. At one end an entrance was left open, fitted with 

 sliding bars, so prepared as to be capable of being in- 

 stantly shut ; and from each angle of the end by which 

 the elephants were to approach, two lines of the same 

 strong fencing were continued, and cautiously concealed 

 by the trees ; so that if, instead of entering by the open 

 passage, the herd should swerve to right or left, they 

 would find themselves suddenly stopped and forced to 

 retrace their course to the gate. 



I 



