THE ELEPHANT. 19 



tion. In the midfr, of the foreft, and in the 

 neighbourhood of places frequented by the ele- 

 phants, a fpot is chofen, and furroundcd wich 

 ftrong pallifades. The largeO: trees of the wood 

 ferve as the principal flakes, to which are fixed 

 crofs bars that fupport the other flakes. A large 

 opening is left, through which the elephant may 

 enter ; and over this door there is a trap, or ra- 

 ther it receives a ftrong bar, which is fhut after 

 the animal paffes. To draw him into this en- 

 clofure, the hunters go in queft of him: They 

 carry along with them into the foreil a tamed 

 female in feafon; and, when they imagine them- 

 felves to be near enough to be heard, her gover- 

 nour makes her utter the cry of love. The wild 

 male inftantly replies, and haftens to join her. 

 She is then made to march towards the enclofure, 

 repeating the cry from time to time. She ar- 

 rives frrft; and the male, following her by the 

 fcent, enters by the fame port. As foon as he 

 perceives the hunters, and fees himfelf furround- 



B z ed, 



(lakes, where there are alfo fome frees, between which a man 

 can eafily pafs. There is another circle of war elephants 

 and foldiers, into which fome men enter mounted on ele- 

 phants, who are extremely dexterous in throwing ropes round 

 the hind legs of thefe animals. When fixed in this manner, 

 the wild elephant is put between two tame elephants, and a 

 third one is appointed to pufli him behind in fuch a manner, 

 as obliges him to go forward ; and, when he grows mifchie- 

 vous, the others give him blows with their trunks. He is 

 then led off into captivity ; and the others are feized in the 

 fame manner. I faw ten of them taken. The King was pre- 

 fent, and gave every neceffary order; Relation de la FJmbaJfade 

 & M. Chevalier de Ckaumont a la coi^r du Rci de Sir.?::, J>. 91, 



