oct. — dec. 1857.] Elephants in Coimbatore. 



59 



be quickly demolished on the Elephants entering the enclosure. 

 From the entrance strong palisadings were erected (vide Plate IV.) 

 diverging in one direction towards the river, and in the other to the 

 foot of the nearest hill, the length of the right palisading (looking 

 from the Coopum) was 600 feet, that on the left 800 feet consist- 

 ing of stems of trees firmly fixed in the ground and strongly bound 

 together. 2,800 of these stems were used in forming the palisadings, » 

 beyond them strong abattis were laid down, extending on the right 

 side 2,900 feet and on the left 3,200, For 400 feet on each side be- 

 hind the palisading, a ditch 5 feet 7 Inches broad and 3 feet 6 

 inches deep was dug ; beyond this, a ditch 4 feet by 4 feet was 

 continued, but on the inner side of the palisading and abattis, on 

 the right side to the distance of 310 feet and on the left 180 feet. 



This completed all the preparations with the exception that on the ' 

 day of the drive, the whole of the palisadings were covered with 

 green branches, to conceal them from the Elephants. All trees 

 and bushes were left standing, and the causeway was made to look 

 as like the natural jungle as possible, the ditch at the sides being 

 carefully concealed by bushes. 



It took several days to bring the Elephants into the valley, (vide 

 Plate II) above the Coopum, as they have to be moved in the di- 

 rection required, without alarming them. Parties had to be sta- 

 tioned, day and night watching certain passes, to stop the herd from 



