54o 



UNGULATES. 



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 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 



• 





INDIAN ELEPHANT KNEELING. 



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

 together 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 

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

 treatment. 



As the finest tuskers are seldom caught in the keddas, another plan is adopted 

 for their capture. A party of four or five trained female elephants, with their 

 mahouts (who partially conceal themselves under blankets), proceed to the resorts 

 of a solitary wild tusker ; and gradually approach him by grazing in an uncon- 

 cerned manner, unless the male saves them this trouble by coming up of his own 

 accord. Having established an acquaintance, the females remain constantly with 

 the male until he is thoroughly tired out and in need of sleep, which may not take 

 place for two or three days: during which time the mahouts have been relieved 



