110 



THE ART OF TRAINING ANIMALS. 



stoclmdesj cutting paths through the jungle^ and surrounduig 

 and driving in the elephants. 



^ In selecting the scene for an elephant hunt a position is 

 chosen which lies on some old and frequented route of the ani- 

 mals, in their p^iodical migrations in search of forage and wa- 

 ter J and the vicmity of a stream is indispensable, not only for 

 the supply of the elephants during the time spent in inducing 

 them to approach the enclosure, but to enable them to bathe 

 and cool themselves throughout the process of training after 

 capture. In construcfing the corral itself, care is taken to avoid 



POSITION OFTEN TAKING IN ATTEMPTING TO BREAK THE ROPE. 



disturbing the trees or the brushwood within the included space, 

 and especially on the side by which the elephants are to ap- 

 proach, 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 climbing 

 plants, or as they are called, "jungle ropes,'' and the whole is 

 steadied by means of forked supports which grasp the tie beams, 

 r.nd prevent the work from being driven outward by the rush 

 of tlic wild elephants. 



