The Elephant. 147 



For this purpose a large enclosure, or ' keddah,' is 

 formed of stout posts, which are driven into the 

 ground at such a distance from one am-ther as to 

 allow a man to pass freely between them. A head of 

 elephants is then surrounded by hunters, and gradually 

 driven towards the keddah, the door of which is left 

 open. 



By slow degrees, the operation sometimes extending 

 over several weeks, the animals are forced into the 

 enclosure, the entrance to which is immediately 

 closed. 



Should the animals attempt to burst from their 

 place of confinement, they are immediately driven 

 back by torch-bearers, who thrust their flaming brands 

 int'i the faces of the excited captives, and deter them 

 from breaking through the walls. After a time, the 

 imprisoned animals relax their efforts to escape, when 

 the hunters cautiously enter, and bind each of them 

 securely to a tree, or other immovable object. 



The nature of the Asiatic elephant is, as a rule, 

 very quiet and peaceable, forming a great contrast to 

 the fierce and savage character of its African relative. 

 Even when hunttd, if it should be successful enough 

 to strike down its foe, the animal se ms to have little 

 idea of revenge, and usually contents itself with kick- 

 ing its prostrate adversary from foot to foot without 

 causing any great injury. 



It may seem remarkable that a domesticated animal 

 should be desirous of reducing its fellows to a state of 

 servitude. Yet the elephant does so, the females 

 using every m >ans in their power to capture the 

 males. 



One case is known where a female escaped from 

 her owners, carrying with her a chain. In a few days 

 she returned, and by signs and sounds told her keepers 

 that she wished them to accompany her into the 



