1128 



THE UNGULATES, OR HOOFED MAMMALS 



When a herd is discovered, the party divide and go off in opposite directions so as 

 to surround it, leaving two of their number at distances of about every fifty yards, 

 or rather more. When complete, the circle should have a circumference of six or 

 eight miles; and when once found, it must be the fault of the men if the herd is not 

 captured. A light fence of split bamboo is rapidly formed round the ring, as are 

 likewise shelters for the men; and the animals are kept in by firing shots by day and 

 by lighting bonfires at night. After the first two days, however, if the ring be suffi- 

 ciently large and contain plenty of cover, the elephants give but little trouble. In 

 the middle of the circle the construction of the kedda is then pushed on apace. 

 This is built in a secluded spot, and is formed of massive posts of about twelve 

 feet high, supported by props, and arranged in a circle of from twenty to fifty 



INDIAN ELEPHANT KNEEUNG. 



yards in diameter, with an entrance of about four yards in width. From the 

 entrance proceed two diverging lines of palisades, which at their terminations, a 

 hundred yards or so from the gate, are about fifty yards asunder. When all the 

 arrangements are complete, the herd is driven down the funnel-shaped entrance, 

 and when within the kedda itself imprisoned by dropping a kind of portcullis at 

 the gate. After a time the process of securing the various members of the herd 

 commences; for which purpose tame elephants, each carrying a mahout on its neck 

 and a rope-tier behind are employed. These tame elephants separate the wild ones 

 rom their companions one by one, when the hind-legs of the captives are tied to- 

 cher with ropes. Each captive then has a rope placed round its neck, and another 

 round one hind-leg; after which it is led out and secured to a tree in the neighboring 

 forest, where it remains until sufficiently tamed to undergo further treatment 



