^-.< f-/ LOCH N AW, /^////: ) f^'^ Os**>i*\ f^'IT^'^l rm. *«Sa'' >■ ^^a#*#.' 6»-^ i^^^ ' Family Library of Veterinary Medicine QMRWiings School of Vetenrtary Medidne at Tufts Ltniversity 200 V\festboro Road North Grafton. MA 01536 THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT \ c-^ THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT KIiITED LV THE EARL OE SUEEOLK AND BERKSHIRE HEDLEY PEEK AM) E. G. AELALO VOL. I ^^ ^s ra KC^^BjL'V-^^ Y'j-JMfMmTII ^?ra i K^^^^Ss* ^'^^^^y^M 1 K:;:^^^ l^ h^v^^S t m£J; fWwt 1 Igi^^'i K V^^OT 1 il tt^»-^\^'^^7V ^Lfr-^^8^^ ^ l^^s ^^ffi LONDON LAWRENCE AND BULLEN. Ltd. i6 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN 1897 Richard Ci.ay anij Sons, Ltmitku, LONDON AND Hl.NGAV Printed in Great Bft.T- PREFACE Lovers of Sport cannot complain that in recent years their interests have been neglected by English publishers ; but, although books devoted to the considera- tion of Sport continue to multiply apace, no serious effort has been made to produce a national Encyclopaedia of Sport. Many editions of Blaine's Encyclopedia of Rjtral Sports, which first appeared in 1S40, were published down to 1870. Blaine announced that he proposed to describe " the progress of each sport to its present state of perfection," and he acquitted himself creditably. The book was very useful in its day, but its day is past. Football was so slightly regarded when Blaine's work appeared that he actually makes no mention of a game which is now among the most popular of our recreations. Some sports, Cricket for example, have been completely revolutionised during the last fifty years ; and others, Badger-baiting and the like, described by Blaine, have dis- appeared from the catalogue of national amusements, and are here relegated to the article on Obsolete Sport. Blaine's predecessor, Strutt, published in 1 80 1 The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England, which was frequently reprinted. This valuable and entertaining book, a mine of antiquarian lore, has no pretension to the name of Encyclopaedia, though Strutt pursues his investigations even to the chronicling of " the obsolete sports of the young," as deduced from old engrav- ings. Among these obsolete sports one is surprised to find games resembling " Blind Man's Buff" and "Leapfrog"; though, as the latter is apparently being played by monks and nuns, the monks giving the back, Leapfrog in that particular form may fairly be reckoned among obsolete sports. Strutt, and to a large extent Blaine, worked single-handed ; but it is obvious that if an attempt is to be made to cover the whole range of sport, scores of experts must collaborate. The Editor is glad to say that, in answer to his appeal, the leading authorities on every branch of sport have placed their services at his disposal. In not a few cases, indeed, men who have never before published an\- portion of their complete and carefully acquired knowledge have been prevailed on to break through their habit of silence in favour of this work. Even the less im- portant and unsigned articles have been submitted, to insure all possible accuracy of detail, to the careful revision and scrutiny of experts. The scope of the present work is very wide, and includes many articles on subjects which, though not in themselves sport, are certainly its corollaries. Such are, for instance, " First Aid," " Taxidermy," and " Veterinary Work." Of the first-named some knowledge should be in possession of all who take part in sport of any kind ; for what sport worthy of the name is free from danger ? It is not too much to say that very slight surgical skill on the part of a servant would have prevented a fatal termination to one of the most deplorable of recent accidents on the hill. Of Taxidermy every big-game hunter, be his object science or sport, should have at least such elementary knowledge as shall insure the preservation of specimen or trophy in presentable condition. And of the perpetual use of Veterinary work there can be no need to remind sportsmen. Nor has natural history been neglected, though made subservient to sport through- out. The plan of publication in parts has been adopted in the confident e.xpectation PREFACE that those who buy the earlier numbers will never rest satisfied without the com- plete series. The acquisition of a full- blown Encyclopa;dia is seldom undertaken without the misgiving born of a dread of satiety. It may at all events be urged that this method of publication has the advantage of affording to well-wishers of Sport an opportunity of giving us the benefit of suggestions in time to correct errors or repair omissions in future numbers. Who can tell that we may not with such assist- ance expand in due time to the dimensions of the Dictionary of National Biograpliy ! In these volumes, without any sacrifice of accuracy or technical detail, a lighter style than is usual in works of this description has been permitted, so as to render the monthly issue to the full as attractive as any of the most popular magazines. It will be allowed that the menu thus offered to the public is, at any rate, not lacking in variety. The glossaries under each subject must be claimed as something of a new depar- ture, though, of course, the facilities for reference must necessarily remain incom- plete until the publication of the Index with the final number. There are not nowadays many sports from the enjoyment of which women are excluded ; but some are considered as peculiarly within their province ; and for these, such as Cycling, Lawn-tennis, &c., the services of ladies have been secured. All the Plates, and with few exceptions the text-cuts, have been specially executed (under the supervision of Mr. Hcdley Peek) for this work, which, when it reaches com- pletion, will be generally recognised as a needed and valuable addition to English Encyclopaedic lore. It remains to add that the founder and architect of the scheme developed in these volumes is Mr. F. G. Aflalo, who has devoted himself to his editorial task with unflagging energy. SUFFOLK AND BERKSHIRE. TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. I Aardvark Agouti Albicore Alevix Alexandra Alligator Amateur (M. Shearman) America Cup Ammunition (H. F. Phillips) 3 Angling (John Bickerdyke and William Senior) 7 Indian (H. S. Thomas) 30 Antelopes, Distribution of (R. Lydekker).. 33 Antelope Shooting (II. A. Bryden) 35 Coursing 39 Snaring 40 Archery (Col. W. Walrond) 40 Armadillo 47 Athletics (M. Shearman) 47-68 CROSS-COUNTRY Running (Harold Wade) 49 High Jumping (Reginald Williams) ... 50 Hurdle Racing (C. L. Lockton) ... 51 Long Jumping (C. B. Fry) 52 Pole Jumping (Regin.ald Williams) ... 54 Running (.Montague Shearman) 54 .Steeplechasing (Harold Wade) 58 Throwing the Disc (G. S. Robertson)... 59 Throwing THE Hammer (G. S. Robertson) 69 Walking (Fred Cotton) Co Weight-Putting (G. S. Robertson) ... 61 Laws and Records 62 Aurochs 68 Babirusa 68 Badger 68 Badminton (.\rthur Southey) 68 Bandy (Arnold Tebbutt) 71 Barbel 73 Barracouta 73 Baseball (R. G. Knowles) 73 Bass, Black (J. A. Henshall) 80 Sea S3 Bear Shooting 83-91 .\merica, r;oRTH (J. Turner Turner) ... S3 India (J. D. Inverarity) 8+ Polar (Admiral A. H. Markham) ... S") Russia (F. Whishaw) 88 SCANDINAYIA (G. FEKRAND) 89 Big C;ame 91-111 .■\frica (H. A. Bryden) 91 America, North (J. Turner Turner) ... 95 India (J. D. Inverarity) 96 Measurements (Montagu Browne) ... gS Horn (J. Turner Turner) in Big Birdsnesting (F. G. Aflalo) PACE Bison and Buffalo (R. Lydekker) 113 Bison (Theodoke Roosevelt) 116 Bittern iiS Black Game (J. G. Mii.lais) iiS liLACK Cock Tournaments (F. Whishaw) ... 120 Black Fish 120 Blue Fish 120 Boar, Wild (Clive Phili.ipps-Wolley) ... 120 Shooting (Lt.-Col. R. Heber Percy) ... 123 Bowls (E. T. Ayers) 125 Scottish (J. B. Little) 127 Bowling in the North .. 128 Boxing (B. J. Angle and Dr. G. W. Barroll) 131 Bream ... 139 Bream-Flat ... ... ... ... 140 Bream, Sea 140 Broadsword (Capt. A. Hutton) 140 Buffalo, Cape (A. M. Naylor) 146 Indian (Lt.-Col. R. Heber Percy) ... 150 Bulls and Bull-Fighting (Walter J. Buck) j;7 BuRREL (S. H. Whitbread) ijy Bush Pig (H. A. Bryden) 160 Bustard (.Abel Chapman) ... 160 Shooting in Andalusia (B. F. Buck) ... 162 African (H. A. Bryden) 162 Butterfly and Moth Collecting (C. S. Colman) 162 Camping Out ... ... 164-16S Africa, South (H. A. Bryden) ... .. 164 America, North (J. Turner Turner) ... i65 India (J. D. Inverarity) 167 Canoes and Canoeing (W. Baden-Powell)... 16S Capercailzie (Sir H. Pottinger) 179 Stalking (Fred Whishaw) iSo Caribou (Theodore Roosevelt) 180 Carp 1S2 Catapult Shooting (J. G. Millais) 182 Chamois (Count Schlick) 1S3 Championships 1S5 Char (R. B. Lee) i8'3 Cheetah (J. E. Harting) 1S7 African (H. A. Bryden) iSS Ciii-ETUL (Gen. Donald Macintyre) 1S9 Chub igo Coaching (W. C. A. Blew) igo Coalfish .. 194 Cod 194 Conger 194 Conservancy of Rivers (John Bickerdyke; 194 Coracles (Christopher Davies) 196 Cormorant (J. E. Harting) ig7 Coursing (W. F. Lamonby) 199 Greyhound Celebrities (Hon. and Rev. W. Ellis) 203 TABLE OF CONTEXTS Cricket {W. J. Foro, with coxTRinuTioNs BY K. S. Ranjitsinhji, T. Richardson, F. G. J- Ford, and M. C. Kemp) ... 210 Crocodile Shooting (H. R. P. Carter) ... 247 Alligator (Alfred Harmsworth) ... 249 Croquet (C. S. CoLMAN) 251 Curling (Rev. J. Kerr) 2^6 Cycle Racing (G. Lacy Hillier) 2S6 Cycling (H. Graves) 265 FOR Ladies (Countess of Malsies- bury) 290 Dab 292 Dace 292 Deck Sports (Eden Phillpotts) 292 Decoys (J. E. Harting) 296 Deerstalking (A. Grimhle) ... ... 301 IN the Caucasus (Prince De.midoff) ... 307 Dogs (R. B. Lee and Fred Gresham) ... 310 Dory 330 Driving (W. C. A. Blew) 330 Duck Shooting (J. Cordeaux) 342 Duiker (H. A. Bryden) 344 Eel 344 Eland (H. A. Bryden) 345 Elephant, African (F. C. Sei.ous) 346 Addo Bush (G. D. Wheeler) 353 Indian (Gen. J. IMichael) 354 Trapping (Col. F. T. Pollok) ... .. 357 Elk (Sir H. Poitinger) . . ... 35S Shooting in Russia (Fred Whish.^w) ... 360 Emu (.Arthur Eden) ... 361 Falconry (Hon. Gerald Lascelles) 362 Fallow Deer (J. K Harting) 373 Fence Months, British Islands (J. Willis Bund) ... .. 374 United States (A Nelson Cheney) ... 375 Fencing (Camille Prevost) 376 F"errets (J. E. Harting) 39T First Aid (J. B. Byles and S. Osborn) .. 394 Fives (E. L. Fox) .. 39S Flounder 403 Football, Rugby (A. Budd) 403 Association (C. B. Fry) ... ... 413 A.merican (Caspar Whitney and T. A. Cook) 422 Intlrn.ational (B. F. Robinson) 426 Fox (T Firr) 4.35 Francolin (H. a. Bryden) ..." .. ... 439 Golf (Garden G. Smith) for Ladies (Mrs. Mackern) GooRAL (Gen. Donald Macintyre) Goose (Henry Sharp) Grasmere Sports (J. C. Shepherd) Grayling (William Senior) Grouse (Marquis of Granbv) Diseases of (A. E. Shipley) Gudgeon Guns (W. G. Craven) Mechanical (H. F. Phillips) Gymnastics (A. Alexander) ., Hare (J. E. Harting) Hartebeest (H. a. Bryden) Heron (J. E. Harting) Highland Sports (E. Lenxo.v Peel) Hippopotamus (F. C. Selous) Hockey (E. L. Clapham) Homing Pigeons (W. Bancroft) Horse, Arabian (W. Blunt) Thoroughbred (W. Allison) Hunters (W. C. A. Blew) Hound Breeding (Hon. L. J. Batiuust) Hunting, Fox (Lord Coventry) Drag (W. C. A. Blew) Hare (Lord Suffolk) Beagling (W. C. A. Blew) Otter (Hon. Gerald Lascelles) Stag (Lord Ribblesdale) ... Wild Red Deer (Hon. L. J. Bat hurst)... Dog (H. A. Bryden) Hymcna {II. A. Bryden) SOMALILAND (CaPI. H. G. C. SwaVNE) ... India (Col. F. T. Pollok) Ibex, Himalayan (S. H. Wiiitbread and Capt. ii. g. c. swavne) Spanish (B. F. Buck) Iceland, Sport in (Major Ernest Anne) ... Indian Gazelle (Col. Arthur Pollock) ... Irish Sport (T. Walsh) Jackal Hunting (Col. F. T. Pollok) J.AGUAR (Col. F. T. Pollok) Kangaroos (H. R. Francis) (F. G. Aflalo) Knurr and Spell (Col. F. T. Pollok) Koodoo (E. N. Buxton) 457 470 475 470 480 484 4S7 491 492 492 493 500 502 505 508 5" S13 515 520 523 530 534 538 541 553 554 562 564 569 578 5S4 5S5 586 586 5S7 550 591 593 594 59S 599 600 602 604 604 Gamekeecers (Tom Speedy and H.) 439 Game Laws (T. Willis Bund) 443 Gaur (Capt. A. F. Mackenzie) 447 Gayal (Col. F. T. Pollok) 449 Gazelles (H. A. Bryden) ... ... 449 Giraffe (H. A. Bryden) ... 451 Gnu (H. a. Bryden) 453 GoA (Gen. Donald Macintyre) ... 454 Goat, Nilgiri (Col. P. W L'Estrange) 455 Rocky Mountain (Warburton Pike and Theodore Roosevelt) 455 Lacrosse (E. T. Sachs) 606 Lawn Football (A. Tebbutt) 610 Lawn Tennis (N. L. Jackson) 611 for Ladies (Miss L. Dod) 617 IN America (Caspar Whitney) ... ... 619 Lazo (R. B. Cunninghame Graham) ... 624 Leopards and Panthers, Distribuiion (R. I.vdekkek) .. 625 Africa, South (F. V. Kirby) 626 Somaliland (Capt. H. G. C. Swayne) ... 629 India (J. D. Inverarity) 631 THE ENCVCLOP/EDIA OF SPORT AARD-VAARK or EARTH HOG (Oryc- teropus) — A South African ant-eater of burrow- ing and nocturnal habits, of which three species are known. The fiesh is said to taste strongly of formic acid, but is nevertheless much appre- ciated by the natives, who spear or hunt the animal with trained dogs. Strong iron traps are sometimes used. AGOUTI {DasYprocta aguti) — A small rodent of South America and the West Indies, which has done much damage on the sugar plantations. It is largely eaten by the natives, who beat the undergrowth lining the rivers and shoot from boats as the animals take to the water. ALBICORE (//(•///(; gIanca)—.\ large ocean- fish allied to the tunny and mackerels, which, from its habit of following for days in the wake of vessels, is much angled for with outrigger bamboo pole and log-line. The latter, reeved through a block, terminates in a fathom of wire rope and a single large hook dressed with two- feet strips of red and white bunting. A small bell is so arranged on a loop-line as to ring when a fish is hooked. This Albicore-fishing is, from the great strain, not successful at any speed over twelve knots. ALE\'IX — The earliest form of salmon-fry as it emerges from the egg with yolk-sac attached. ALEXANDRA — Alarge and deadly artificial fly, dressed with silver body and peacock harl, and worked deep like a salmon-fly. It is used in various sizes for salmon, trout, grayling, &:c. (No. I hook in Yorkshire for gray- ling), and is found to be especially kill- ing on waters where a silver bodied fly answers, though the fish soon tire of it. It is prohibited on many fly-fishing club waters, as well as in many preserved lochs and Alex.^ndra. chalk streams ; but in Scotland and Norway its use, which has been aptly compared to a varia- tion of minnow-fishing, is general. ALLIGATOR — The name popularly applied to all the species of three genera of Saurians : (i) Alligator, (2) Caiman, (3) Jacare, found only in the New World. They may always be distinguished from Crocodiles by the presence of a pit in the upper jaw which receives the long teeth of the lower, and by the fact that they have the hind feet webbed to a lesser degree. Alligator-shooting is treated of under Croco- dile. AMATEUR — As long as there have been national sports in England there have also been classes of men who have practised them for gain and as a means of livelihood ; and these men have been usually termed professionals, although ii> one game, Cricket, the name player has always been in vogue. Professional jockeys, professional cricketers, watermen, and runners have been with us always ; and 'in most sports there have been gentlemen of means who have taken part for amusement and not for gain, although they had no objection to ride, play, row or run for money-stakes or bets. This class were long described in contradistinction to the players or " pros." as gentlemen, because they consisted entirely of men of gentle birth. With the rapid poj^ularisation, however, of all sports and games during the last fifty years, and especially in consequence of the introduction of " gate-money " into games, the old vague distinc- tion, drawn between the gentleman who was the patron and the professional who was hired, became obsolete ; and the votaries of different sports set to work to divide competitors into two classes, the professionals who competed for money, and the amateurs (a term borrowed originally from across the Channel) who declined to receive money either by way of remuneration or in the shape of a prize, but Yfho pursued their sport solely for its own sake. It would be tedious to trace the corruption of so called "amateurism" to its present state. It B THE EXCVCLOP.EDIA OI- SPORT [amateur is here only jiossible to give a resume of its condition ;it the present day. Athletics — Many of the leading amateurs must obviously make a living out of athletic sports, as they travel to distant parts of the country, and win prizes all over the kingdom, and are clearly not possessed of the means to pay for their own amusement. Cricket — Most amateur cricketers are genuine amateurs, but there are some instances to the contrary of men who, without visible means of spending the entire summer in recrea- tion, must obviously pay their way in life by what they receive under the guise of " expenses." Cycling — Scores of the leading "amateur" cvclists are directly or indirectly paid by the manufacturers of cycles whose machines they ride, or receive enough for their " expenses " to keep themselves throughout the season. Football — As soon as there were hundreds of pounds to be made by charging an admission to the ground, the players naturally wanted to share in this. In the Association Game, profes- sionalism has been recognised, and there are professional clubs as well as amateur clubs, and competitions in which both play together. It is the custom for amateurs, however, to have their travelling expenses, and often their hotel bills, paid by their own clubs. In the Rugby Union Game, the authorities are still making a deter- mined effort to allow no paid footballer to take part with the amateurs : in the provinces, how- ever, scores of amateurs receive, directly or indi- rectly, remuneration for representing their clubs. After considerable friction for many years between the Rugby Union authorities and some leading clubs in Yorkshire and Lancashire, there was at length an open rupture in 1895. At that date, a large number of the leading clubs in the two counties seceded from the Rugby Union and formed a Northern Rugby Union. This body comprises at least half, and by no means the least important half, of the clubs in the two great Northern shires. The ostensible reason for the rupture was that the Northern malcontents wished to pay their players for " broken time," that is, some equivalent for the wages they lose by taking part in matches ; but most observers are of opinion that the rupture was really due to deeper causes of difference between the North and South. The players who receive payment for broken time are at present in an anomalous position. They play as amateurs amongst amateur dubs, but are not recognised as amateurs by the Rugby Union, nor as amateur athletes by the Amateur Athletic Association. Racing (including Steeplechasing)— There are many licensed Gentlemen Riders. Of these, some spend money on their amuse- ment and are genuine amateurs ; others have their expenses paid by the owners whose horses they ride. The latter proceeding is entirely illegitimate, and is usually hidden by some such device as giving the quasi-gentleman the result of an inaginary bet if he wins and of course claiming nothing from him if he loses. Rowing — In this sport, the amateurs may be described as genuine amateurs ; they pay for their own amusement. The causes of this are two-fold. Firstly, it is impossible to charge "gate- money" to see races on the rivers. In other sports, the promoters find that it pays them to lure the leading amateurs with briljes, because their appearance increases the " gate." Secondly, rowing at the leading regattas is barred to " me- chanics, artisans, or labourers." In real fact, amateur rowing in England is, from the nature of the sport, confined to those who have some means. ^Vith athletics, cycling, and football, it is impossible to preser\-e this distinction. The money for the sport is found by the public, who look on and pay their shillings at the gate. The public wants to see the best men, not merely those who happen to be possessed of private means. The usual form in which a modern " amateur" receives remuneration for his services is under the heading of " expenses." It is very forcibly contended that few men who play a game are in a position to give up their time and to travel about the country at their own expense ; it is only fair, therefore, it is said, that a man who represents his club or county should have his travelling expenses, and even his hotel bills, paid. On the other hand, it is pointed out that if a man is throughout a season boarded and lodged at his club's expense, he is really making a living out of the game he is supposed to be plaving for the love of sport : and it is also obvious that if a man is paid his "expenses," or so many pounds for his "expenses," he is well able to save a bit out of what is given to him. The problem is where to draw the line as to pavment of expenses. Another difficulty, which has to be considered, is that things which are no substantial reward to men of one class are so to those of another. If the University oarsmen have their boats and oars paid for by their club, and their hotel bills at Putney defrayed by the same means, it would be hard to say that by so doing they lose their right to be called amateurs ; yet if a body of pitmen are boarded and lodged for a month at the seaside at the expense of their football club, the amateur footballer would call them "pros." and would point out that they are getting an excellent gratuitous holiday out of the sport they follow. It is often asked what is the object of separat- ing the two classes in sports. The answer given is— that to allow paid and trained exponents of a sport to compete against those who are work- ing for their living, and training only in their leisure moments, is to suppress the latter class and to discourage the truest form of sport, that of honest recreanon. It is also pointed out that when a snort gets entirely into the hands of am.mcnition] THE ENCYCLOP.liDIA OF SPORT people whose only object is to make money out of it, the sport gets full of dishonesty and trickery, and the public at large, instead of taking part in it, do nothing but look on and bet, which is not so good for their bodies or their minds. A distinguished Irish judge is reported to have been asked by a still more distinguished English statesman what was the solution of the Irish problem, and to have replied, " the Irish problem is just insoluble." It is difficult to give any other answer if one is asked for the correct solution of the Amateur Question. Montague She.\rman. [" An amateur is one who has never competed for a money prize or staked bet, or with or against a professional for any prize, or who has never taught, pursued or assisted in the practice of athletic exercises as a means of obtaining a livelihood."— Rule i, A.A.A.] AMBULANCE— [6 found that in a 12-bore a card wad of medium thickness over the powder, next which is a | in. soft felt with a grey cloth under the shot, gives the best results ; the wad over the shot only being sufficiently stout to keep the pellets from shaking loose during transit. Rifle Ammunition. Twenty years ago the subject of ammunition for sporting rifles was a very large one. At that period rifles were made by rule of thumb, no two being exactly alike, and as each maker had his own particular charge of powder, shape and weight of bullet, &c., the varieties of ammunition in use were innumerable. In the event of a bullet mould being lost or injured only the original maker of the rifle could supply a new one, so that the difficulties under which sports- men laboured (especially in foreign countries) were considerable. This unsatisfactory state of affairs has for several years past ceased to exist, and rifles are now made to take ammunition of standard sizes, which can be obtained in all parts of the civilised world. ammunition] THE ENCYCLOP-EDIA OF SPORT Powder — The remarks previously made with respect to the use of black powder in shot guns are applicable for the most part to the employ- ment of this form of explosive in rifled arms, though It is still preferred for large bore rifies and modern ball guns of the " Paradox " type. Indeed, owing to the difficulty of obtaining a good smokeless powder abroad, the care with which it must be transported and kept, and the necessity of using a powder easy to load and invariable in its results, many big game shooters still rely on black powder only. But improve- ments in the manufacture of smokeless rifle powder make it unlikely that this will always be the case. As stated in the previous section, smokeless powders are of two distinct varieties : first, those that, power for power, bulk the same, or nearly the same, as black powder — for example, S.R. powder, designed originally for rifies of the Maitini-Henry class — and, second, those ex- plosives of the concentrated type which occupy a much smaller space in the cartridge case. None of the powders of the former class really deserve the appellation smokeless ; and they are all more or less hygroscopic On the other hand the majority of the concentrated powders are absolutely smokeless and impervious to damp, whilst the flame emitted from the muzzle of a rifle on firing a charge of one of these powders is scarcely perceptible. Con- centrated powders may be divided into two classes; those that are composed almost entirely of nitro-cellulose or gun-cotton, and those that consist of nitro-cellulose combined with nitroglycerine. Each of these has its own peculiar advantages and disadvantages which may be briefly summed up as follows : — Those powders containing nitro-glycerine give low and regular gas pressures, and for any given weight of charge the ballistic properties are excellent. The heat of combustion, however, is exceedingly high, and causes severe erosion of the bore, a matter of much importance in the case of a rifle, as the accuracy of shooting rapidly deteriorates in consequence. Powder of the nitro-cellulose class generally give higher and more irregular gas pressures ; but the heat of combustion is comparatively low, therefore they do not so quickly destroy the interior of the rifle, and the barrel remains cooler during quick firing. As an example of the last-named class RIfleite, and of the former kind Cordite may be taken. Baliistite holds an intermediate position, as it is principally composed of nitro-cellulose with only a small percentage of nitro-glycerine. Two of the principal advantages accruing from the use of concentrated powders are (i) the great power that can be stored in a small cartridge case, and ■(2) the considerable reduction in recoil as com- pared with black powder. Projectiles — Almost every sportsman holds a different opinion as to the kind of bullet that should be employed on big game. Some hold 8-BoRE Paradox Bullet. (Sleel bullet coated with lead.) Cut out of an elephant. that a 4-bore elongated bullet weighing i,8So grs., as propelled by 12 drs. of black powder, is the proper projectile to use. The muzzle velocity of such a bullet is about 1,330 feet per second, and the striking energy at short ranges about 7,000 foot pounds. Others are in favour of a 4-bore spherical bullet weighing 1,250 grs. This projectile when propelled by 12 drs. of black powder would have a muzzle velocity of about 1,460 feet per second, and a striking energy of nearly 6,000 foot pounds. Some sports- men of experience consider that an 8-bore "Paradox" bullet is powerful enough for anything in the way of dangerous game, for at ordinary sporting range it gives such a smashing blow that the animal is killed or turned over at once : a consideration of much importance when an infuriated animal is charging. The lo-bore brass case " Paradox " is almost as powerful as the foregoing, for as it is practically a 9-bore, the projectile used is only slightly inferior in weight and smasliing power, whilst the arm itself is considerably lighter. At the trial of an 8-bore " Paradox " ball and shot gun made by the editor of the Field some few years ago, six bullets were placed within a space measuring \'^ in. by 2/5- in. the range being fifty yards. The charge used was 10 drs. of Curtis and Harvey's No. 6 grain powder and a hardened cylindro-conoidal bullet of 1,150 grains. The weight of this particular gun was 14 lb., and length of barrel 28 in. Some sportsmen prefer to have heavy bullets made with a hardened steel point so as to obtain great penetration ; others choose a hollow-pointed bullet that will expand on striking, thus expending the whole of its energy in shock. The general consensus of opinion being that an 8-bore, or the No. 10 brass case bullet of the "Paradox" type of weapon is the most satisfactory projectile to use on dangerous game at any range within one hundred yards. A "577 bullet w-eighing 591 grains and pro- pelled by 164 grains of black powder is largely used by those still preferring black powder. It is particularly suited for shooting the largest kinds of African deer, as well as lion, tiger, and giraffe, and even heavier game such as elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo and other Indian and African large game. The muzzle velocity of this bullet is about 1,660 feet per second, and the striking energy about 3,600 foot-pounds. The smaller "500 bullet weighs 444 grs., and propelled by 138 grs. of powder it has a muzzle velocity of 1,780 feet per second, and a striking energy of 3,134 foot-pounds. A bullet of this THE ENXVCLOP.KDIA OF SPORT [ammunition kind is suitable for smaller and less dangerous game than that before mentioned. Both the •577 and lliL- -500 bullets are occasionally used diate collapse of the larger game, unless hit in heart or brain. The bullets in general use for rook and rabbit shooting are the '295, '250, or the '220, but most sports- men are of opinion that the •250 is the smallest bullet that should be used for rabbits. The following table gives the weights of these bullets with their powder charges : — "i,;? LiULLtis. (Cut out of :tu uLpiia.a.) with a copper envelope, which, by preventing deformation on striking, adds greatly to their penetrative power. A few years ago the -450 and the "400 " express " bullets were in great favour, but they are now being superseded by the '303 Lee-Metford with a nickel envelope, and the '256 Mannlicher with a steel envelope. These bullets on account of their extreme velocities possess enormous striking energies. For instance, the '303 with a muzzle velocity of about 2,000 feet per second, has a striking energy of t^bout 1,907 foot-pounds, although the bullet only weighs 215 grs. The "256 Mann- licher bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,456 feet per second has a striking energy of 2,070 foot- pounds with a bullet weighing only 155 grains. ^^"hen these high speed bullets are made to expand on striking, they are very effective against deer and other game not requiring so very weighty a blow to kill them. Undoubtedly '303 SroRTiNC Cartridge. •503 Si'OKilNG Bullet. (Cut out of red deer.) big game have been killed with projectiles of this class, but apart from the consideration of danger to the sportsman, the chief objection to their employment for the work is the fact that an immense amount of wounding must be done when shooting big game with very small bullets. Notwithstanding the high velocities attained by these small-bore projectiles, their shock-giving properties are not such as to insure the imme- Weight of Bullet. Charge of Powder. ■295, hollow-pninted, 80 grs 10 grs. "295, solid, So gis 10 ,, •250, „ 56 „ 7 „ ■220, ,, .short, 30 grs 3 ,, •220, ,, long, 30 ,, 4 „ ■220, ,, extra long, 40 grs 5 ,, Cartridge Cases — For rifles, of whatevei bore, these should be of brass and solid drawn. For ball and shot guns of the " Paradox " type it is permissible to use paper cases if thought desir- able. The selection and mixing of metals for the metallic cases requires the utmost care to insure a high degree of elasticity in the finished cartridge case, so that after it has been expanded by the explosion to fit the chamber of the rifle it will resume its original dimensions, or nearly so. If this important point is not attended to, ditificulties will arise with the extraction of the empty cases. When, however, the cases are made of suitable metal they may be resized and reloaded repeatedly without fear of their jamming in the chamber. The cap-dome in the base ot the cartridge case is made to suit the nature of the powder to be used. Some have a large or small central flash-hole, whilst others are provided with two or more flash-holes which are placed round the apex of the dome. The percussion caps are also made suitable for the different powders. Some powders, such, for instance, as black, merely require a heating flash ; whereas smokeless powders, especially those of the concentrated type, require a special cap composition. The question of percussion caps is at the present time a very vexed one, the igniting agent not having received the attention it deserves in face of repeated issues of new or improved powders. Wadding — In most cases the wadding made of soft felt and saturated with grease is to be preferred for rifle ammunition, but a grease- proof wad should, in every instance, be inter- posed between it and the powder. In many kinds of rifle cartridge, the felt wad is dispensed with and a wad formed of a mixture of bees'- wax and tallow, with a thin jute wad to pre- vent the grease injuring the powder, is used in its place. No wadding whatever is used with the -303 Lee-Metford and the '256 JMannlicher, the bullet being made large enough in diameter to act as its own gas check. H. F. Phillips. angling] thl: excvclop-^-:dia of sport ji'lBHK ?. ANGLING— Definition of the Term— Although there may be considerable doubt as to the exact origin of the term, " Angling " may be defined as the art of fishing with rod, line, and hook. Even the derivation of the word is a matter of dispute, but whether it be from the T^atin, Greek, or Dutch, we may safely assume that the hook is always indicated as indispen- sable for the catching of fish. One of the recently published dictionaries describes Angling as " fishing with an angle." About this there is a charming vagueness which leaves abundant room for the exercise of private judgment. Histoiy — In the voluminous and ever-in- creasing literature of Angling a vast variety of interesting speculation has been compassed as to the history of the art. There are well- known passages in the Old Testament which are quoted as proof that the ancients were accustomed to fish with hook and line, if not with rod ; and inscriptions and drawings recovered from unearthed cities leave no doubt that the Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans in- cluded Angling amongst their occupations or pastimes. The Egyptians must have brought their practice of the art to considerable perfection, for amongst the wonderful relics excavated from the tombs by Professor Flinders Petrie are well- preserved examples of fish-hooks of admirable shape and make, and in general characteristics not unlike the Limerick pattern beloved by salmon fishers in the present day. Here, again, is suggested food for fancy, and if there is no evidence (as some have alleged there is) that Tubal Cain was the first manufacturer of fish-hooks, and that one of Noah's sons was the first fly-dresser, there is no living person who can authoritatively affirm otherwise. The supporting argument that fish w'ere the only outside animals which sur- vived the flood is, to say the least, ingenious. The old-world fishing must have been a matter of honest and every-day pot-hunting. It would first become a calling, and then a science. How- ever, early in civilisation Angling was evidently practised as a sport, and there are oft-quoted passages from Oppian that might be, with little alteration, adapted in describing a fight to-day with a big salmon or pike in a British stream. Older Literature — The character and pro- gress of AngKng amongst the ancients are too much matters of conjecture to justify more than a passing allusion ; but we are on firm ground in the period which may be said to be represented by the legendary Dame Juliana Barnes, whose treatise was the first published work upon fishing, although it would seem that the earliest known reference to Angling in England is a brief passage in a tract, entitled Piers Fulham, supposed to have been written about the year 1420. The Treatyse of Fysshynge uyt/i an Angle THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT [angling goes, however, into particulars, and shows that fishermen of the day were famiHar with the use of rod, hne, hook, leads, floats, and fishing boats. The Romans undoubtedly knew somethinpr about artificial flies, and used them, but it is believed that fly fishing was practised in this country in the fifteenth century, and the afore- said lady of St. Albans gives a respectable list of the flies to be used in successive fishing months, her season very reasonably beginning with March instead of February, as with us. This list of flies, however, only refers to trout and grayling. In the next century Leonard Mascall published a book on fishing with hook and line, and it contains much practical wisdom about fish culture. The angling pictures were taken from Dame Barnes. Early in the seventeenth cen- tury a published angling poem by " J. D." (John Dennys) teemed with sound advice and instruction to anglers. In these old books the development of Angling may be traced, and they indicate that the sport was well established amongst the English people. In the same period Gervase Markham issued his Art of Angling, which is to a great extent a rendering into prose of " John Dennys, Esq." Walton — Walton and his contemporaries may be taken to represent another period, in which the anglers were good all-round sports- men. More than that, not only Cotton's contribution to the Compkat Angler, but Bar- ker's little book which was published before Walton's immortal classic, furnishes internal evidence of proficiency in the dressing of flies and use of the fly rod. Walton probably took not a little of his information from Barker, who appears to have been the first English writer to mention the use of the winch in fishing. The old woodcut illustrations of this period represent the rod without the winch, but some sort of a reel (or as they used to call it, winder) was not unknown to the few. After ^^'alton there is not, for a while, much in literature to indicate in what degree Angling developed ; but an active and cultured English AHgling School arose soon after the opening of the nineteenth century, and Salter, Davy, Hofland, and others were amongst its head masters. The revolution brought about by steam and cheap literature gave an impetus to our play, no less than to our work, and Angling advanced with leaps and bounds, foremost amongst the leaders of the more modern period being " Ephemera," Francis Francis, Rooper, Pennell, and many others in England ; Stoddart and Stewart in Scotland ; Newland and Maxwell in Ireland. Anglers are now a great host ; their sport has its periodical press ; a modern community is not complete without its fishing club ; and Westwood and Satchell's Bibliotheca Piscatoria, which was pub- lished in 1 883, catalogues over three thousand works more or less concerning fish and fishing. Fly Fishing — Although in matters of sport comparisons should never be invidious, by common consent there may be legitimate dis- tinctions. Hence fly fishing is univer,sally re- garded as the highest form of angling, and it is a claim which is not advanced without sufficient reason. For example, it appeals most of all to the artistic and imaginative fancy ; it demands special knowledge ; it requires delicate skill ; its exercise is at once costly, and beset with difficulties of an exceptional nature. On behalf of fly fishing it is further to be said that it is applied to the choicest of our fresh-water fishes, since members of the Salmonidse, which are, technically speaking, the game fishes of this country, head the catalogue of species which are habitually lured by the artificial fly. These require the purest and best preserved streams for their habitation ; sluggish and open waters are not their natural home, though they often do maintain an existence therein. The proper habitat of the game fishes is all that is brightest and best of our rivers and lakes ; it is the stream which runs crystal clear and pursues a joyous course that is the ideal home of salmon, trout, and grayling ; and not the least of the fascinations which make fly fishing an absorbing pursuit is the association it brings as a matter of course with the most picturesque phases of natural scenery. These are amongst the reasons why fly fishi:ig is always lauded and magnified to an extent not possible with other branches of angling. It is often urged, indeed, with ample justification, that the fly fisher is by his sport brought face to face with sylvan beauties seldom visited by others, and that in his progress in or upon the water, and along its banks, he explores exquisite nooks and corners which even the searching eye of the wandering artist has not the opportunity of discovering. Salmon — While fly fishing is considered the highest form of the art of angling, it is to be remembered that it is but a section of a general sport, and that it has distinctions within itself offering endless variety of attraction. In glancing at these, the salmon must come first into consideration. With some sportsmen fly fishing means salmon or sea-trout fishing only, just as the word " fish " in Scotland is an exclusive term by which Salmo salat alone is honoured. In trout fishing there have of late years grown up definite schools, but ttie noble ■sport of salmon fishing does not admit of much divergence from the settled practices ot our forefathers ; with the exception of develop- ments here and there, not necessarily improve- ments, in the details of rods, lines, and artificial flies, the general principles of salmon fishing remain what they were fifty or sixty years ago, when there were eminent masters whose wisdom is embalmed in the literature of their day, and whose prowess has never been surpassed. angling] THE ENCVCLOP-'EDIA OF SPORT There are, it is true, other methods than fly fishing for the capture of sahnon, and these have in the present day, perhaps, increased rather than diminished. ' By the fly fisher pure and simple they are viewed with disfavour. But there are excuses to be advanced. It is not ahvays that a salmon will be in the humour to rise to a fly ; and there are rivers, of which the Trent, in the Midlands, is the most conspicuous example, where salmon habitually decline to be taken by the artificial fly. They have been tempted with every known composition of fur and feather, yet to no purpose. Even in what are known as the sporting salmon rivers, for which enormous rents are paid, there are pools that are apparently by nature "sulky"; the fish run into them and lie there, and may be caught by spinning baits, prawns, or worms, but as a rule they refuse the fly. Perhaps if salmon fishers would oftener try the experiment of sinking their fly to somewhere near the bottom they might be more successful, but it is not easy to persuade the purist that the wrapping of lead round the body of his Jock Scott or Durham Ranger, or the adoption of any other unusual device for taking the line down to the floor of the pool, consorts with the honour- able canons of sport. The apparatus for salmon fishing and some other methods of angling will be treated of in their alphabetical order as they occur in future numbers ; at present we are concerned with the general principles, and the mention of such matters as spinning, prawning, and worming for salmon may be dismissed with the remark that they are not in themselves illegal, that they are operations requiring great skill, and that, under certain conditions, they are legitimate practices if conducted in sportsmanlike manner. The rod is the item of the fly-fisher's equipment of highest importance, and he should aim at select- ing one suitable to the size of his hand, the strength of his wrist and the length of his arm, the inches of his stature and his physical strength ; he should be equally careful to attach to a reel, in balance with the rod, a line that, being neither too heavy nor too light, will work in harmony with both. These are first prin- ciples, and it mav be added that the line or collar of gut attached to the winch line should be of a substance in proportion to the rest of the tackle as well as suitable to the kind of fishing to be engaged in ; and that the artificial fly should be suited to the character of the water upon which it will be cast. These admonitions are the A B C of the game, but it is necessary to put them in plain words, for one often meets brother sportsmen who have fished long enough to have earned the description of experienced, yet who make their recreation a burden and their sport a failure by non-observance of just such primary considerations. Choice of Rod— Spite of much written and oral advice, the man himself must be the judge of the rod that will suit him. The dis- cussions which are conducted as to the relative merits of whole cane, spht cane, or greenheart rods, should not persuade the purchaser to Salmon Rod. 14-Ft. Trout Rod. * [The Editors have to thank Mr. C. S. Cummins for assistance in illustrating this article.] overlook the paramount importance of ob- taining the thing that pleases, not his ethical notions, but his hand and arm. In the matter of rods we have learned something from American sportsmen; no longer is it insisted, as a hard and fast law admitting of no amending clause, that the salmon-rod must be eighteen or twenty feet in length. The longer the rod 'I'HE EXCVCLOr.KDIA OF SPORT [angling tli(j more power, of course, in the casting of the Hne, in its recovery from the water, and in the command of a fish when the hook has been driven home. There are, obviously, many advantages which may be claimed for a long salmon rod, but they are too often obtained at the cost of excessive labour. When the angler is either fishing from the bank or wading in the stream, a rod of seventeen feet is, in these pro- gressive days, considered to be adequate for all the purposes of salmon-fishing, and many British sportsmen are adopting the practice of their comrades across the Atlantic, and are content in boat fishing to use a rod of fifteen or sixteen feet ; but it is strictly essential that the materials and workmanship should be of super-excellence. A length of line sufficient for all practical pur- poses can be cast by a rod of this description, and as for the playing of a heavy salmon, if the smaller rod entails upon the captor another ten minutes or quarter of an hour in the struggle, the eager sportsman will not complain of this as a serious hardship. There are well-known salmon rivers where angling is only possible from a boat, and if this is not the most scientific way of catching a salmon with the fl)-, it is largely practised, with most satisfactory results, and with the knowledge that if the operation of casting becomes in time monotonous, there are compensations in the minimum of tax levied upon physical exertion and mental excitement. The angler, however, whose en- thusiasm is most warranted, is he who dons a suit of waders and, with well-spiked brogues, be- takes him to the river bed, studying the places where salmon would naturally be found, regu- lating the length of his cast to suit the situation, and when fortunate, following his fish up or down, fighting him from terra firma. This sort of salmon-fishing offers the chances of many a moving incident on land and water, of perils and obstacles, of the wit of man pitted against the wonderful instinct and pluck of the gamest of fishes ; and he is not to be laughed at as rhapso- dical who avouches that he would rather hook one salmon in a contest so fought out than half a dozen from the tranquil limitations of a boat. But boat-fishing, like the use of baits other than artificial fly, is at times a necessity. The British pessimist is occasionally heard to assert in those very desponding moments when he pretends to think that everything worth having is played out in this weary world, that our salmon-fishing, amongst other great institu- tions, has gone to the dogs ; but, as a matter of fact, in our rivers that are properly preserved and managed, this particular sport, taking one season with another, and considering all circum- stances, holds its own with that of any other country. For matters of practical comparison, we have to deal with Norway and Canada. In the early years of the century — when Sir Hyde Parker wrote that he sometimes had so much sport with the salmon as to be indifferent whether he fished any more for a week — phenomenal bags were made in Scandinavia, but we seldom hear of anything like such W'onders in these days. In the rivers that are least harried by the nets, Norway salmon-fishing is still fine in favourable seasons, but the old flavour is gone. In Canada, also, the results are on the whole enough to satisfy an average appetite for sport : but given a typical river like the High- land Dee, where the riparian owners have wisely taken measures to secure a free ascent of fish from the tidal waters, and taking into account the duration of the season with its spring, summer, and autumn runs of salmon and grilse, there is no better sport in the world, although the size of the fish may leave something to be desired. The legislation for salmon-fishing, which has long ago reached bewildering propor- tions, has been generally in the interests of the netsmen at the mouth, rather than for the sportsmen in the upper waters. The observer, indeed, who formed an opinion solely from the persistence with which in legislative action the sporting is sacrificed to the commercial interest in the matter of salmon-fishing, would not be much out of order in defending Napoleon's dictum that we are a nation of shopkeepers. The worst drawback to the salmon-fisher in the British Islands is the caprice of the climate, with its alternations or long spells of drought and flood. Over-netting in the tidal waters is also the curse of nearly all the good salmon streams of the United Kingdom, and without early remedy by Act of Parliament even the commercial interests will be ruined by greed. A painfully notorious illustration of a salmon river temporarily ruined for the angler is the Blackwater in Ireland : once the desire of all sportsmen, it is now practically worthless for rod and line. [See S.\lmon-Fishing.] Sea-Trout — For the main requirements of legal phraseology and ofticial regulations sal- mon and sea-trout are one ; and to the angler the latter is the former in miniature. Salmo triitta is angled for in the same way as hi& bigger relative, but with every item of tackle correspondingly reduced in dimensions. A double-handed rod of fourteen feet, with line, winch, and gut-cast in character, and small flies of bright dressings, present a kind of connecting link between the strong tackle that should be designed to deal with a forty or fifty pound salmon, and the dainty ac- coutrements of the practitioner who devotes his attentions to the non-migratory Salmonidre. .Sea-trout angling, when the fish are running freely from the sea, and sporting at their best in the streams and pools which they affect as regularly as the seasons revolve, is superlatively delightful ; there is no trying labour in handling the rod, and the sea-trout is probably the most sporting of all British fishes in his leaps and ANGLING i THE ENCVCLOP-ilDIA OF SPORT bounds, in his undying determination to yield only with his life, and in his bold advances when the right humour is upon him. Trout — Fly fishing for fresh-water trout (as Salmo fario and his kind are termed as a matter of convenience rather than accuracy, since the migratory fish seek the fresh waters, and the non-migratory often drop down to salt) is the pur- suit of the many amongst the edu- cated classes ; and amongst them there has of late "^^y' years grown up or developed what is ^°'^" ^'-^- known as the dry- fly school. The word developed is suggested because probably so long as men have fished for trout with the artificial fly, it has been used both wet and dry. In the case of salmon-anghng, it is not certain in what light a fish regards the artificial fly. Opinions difler, and doctors dis- agree upon the question, but the popular idea is that it is taken for some creature pur- suing its erratic movement in the water. The acceptance of this theory, however, raises the very vexed question of whether salmon are total abstainers from food in fresh water, and its rejection throws upon us the onus of believing that the mighty boil of the fish is merely play- fulness, or an angry attack upon an object which has caught its attention and aroused its irritation. In preparing the fly for, and offering it to, the bonnie brown trout, however, there is substan- tial foundation to work upon. \\"ith many of the movements of the salmon we are un- familiar : the dark, swirling, heavy, eddying waters of a typical salmon jiool forbid obser- vation of its tenants, except when they con- descend to break the surface at uncertain inter- vals. The representative inland trout stream, on the contrary, should be clear and sparkling, flowing over alternating deeps and shallows ; and while the life history of Salino salar has yet to be written in its entirety and with certainty, we have little if anything to learn of the common trout from beginning to end. He is under our eye from cradle to grave. Although insect food is not by any means his exclusive, or even principal, diet, it is his choicest dish, and his preference for it is probably only limited by the everlasting question of supply and demand. There are rivers once famous for their good trout-fishing that are losing, or have entirely lest, their reputation. The trout still exist in even larger numbers than in the palmy days of spoit, but the insect life has, for reasons which aie difficult to define, almost entirely disappeared, and the stream so changed is no more praised as " free rising." V,"ith the steady hatch of epheme- ridse a thing of the past, the trout fall into other habits. Though, however, the olive-dun or March brown may float down in single spies instead of battalions, the old instinct remains ; the trout will rise to the fly when his keen eye detects the airy form sailing upon the surface overhead. The angler is therefore able to pro- ceed upon tolerably sure knowledge ; he knows that his fly must be presented to the fish on the understanding that it is to be in all essentials a colourable imitation of the insects hatched in that particular water, or the land-born flies that are blown to their doom from the sedges and overhanging bushes. In this respect the trout- fisher is a class to himself. There are purists also here : while there are salmon-fishers who never handled a trout-rod, thinking it beneath their standard and notice, so are there fly-fishers for trout who will ha\e nothing to do with what they deem the rougher and coarser wielding of the big salmon rod, with its heavy line and strong cast. Eyed Hooks — Until comparatively recent times, fly-fishing for trout signified the use of a cast of two or three or more winged or hackled flies, to be cast on speculation and allowed to travel down with the stream, more or less sub- merged. This is what is now classified as wet-fly fishing. It might be imagined, from the prominence given to the contentions and ideas of the new dry-fly school in periodical and liermanent angling literature, that all the world is at the present time a dry-fly fisher ; yet the dry-fly school, though it= members include the most eminent of anglers, is a comparatively limited one in numbers, and its history may be briefly told. A few years ago Mr. H. S. Hall, then, as now, mathematical master at Clifton College, sent a communication to an angling journal advocating the use of artificial flies dressed upon hooks with upturned metal eyes,. Salmon Fly. to which the end of the collar might be knotted, as a preferable plan to the attachment of gut lengths as an essential part of the dressing of the flv. Eyed hooks had undoubtedly been known before in one shape or another, but the universal ])ractice was to tie the fly to a length of gut. The advantages claimed for the eyed hook were : ( 1 ) that fewer flies were whipped off in casting ; (2) that the liability of the gut attachment at the head of the fly to fra}- and break was THE ENCYCLOP.EDIA OF SPORT [angling FLOATiNr: Fly. obviated ; (3) that the angler could always make certain that the even continuity of his collar or casting line was not marred by the juncture at the critical portion of a strand of gut out of due pro- portion ; (4) that the fly was always ready for use on gut v.hich could be kept in a proper condition to receive it ; (5) that a stock of eyed hook flies suffi- cient for a day or a week might be kept in a box in a single pocket, and preserved in ease and safety from one year to another without danger of treachery from rotten gut. The communication thus published roused a widespread interest, and kindred ideas that had been previously enter- tained by a few anglers were gradually made known. Dry-Fly School — Out of the discussion arose the doctrine of the education of trout. The chalk streams fishers laid special emphasis upon the virtues of the dry-fly as an antidote to the growing difficulty of angling. They in- sisted that in rivers where the trout used to rise with regularity and confidence, and where sport might be reckoned upon as a tolerable certainty, the fish had become shy, suspicious, and in point of fact educated. The old- fashioned methods of fishing with a cast of artificial flies for such unnatural trout were deprecated as obsolete, and the superior attrac- tions of a single artificial fly, made very small, dressed with upstanding wings, cast with a scientific calculation of direction and force never dreamt of previously — the sitte qua non being to deliver the imitation fly in the exact presentment of the natural insect, and in a manner that would ensure its floating upon the stream as if it were the real thing — were urged with eloquent enthusiasm. It was in this way that the dry-fly school began to acquire a name of its own ; converts were made, and are still giving in adherence : and one of the results has been the evolution of an entirely different character of artificial fly. The dry-fly school of angling is said to include among its members some dogmatists who will scarcely admit the wet-fly brethren to i^;rjif/ rank, but there is room for all and reason on both sides. In mountain-born waters, like the trout streams of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, the fascinating old-fashioned style of fishing with a cast of flies rules as if nothing had happened ; the rapid rivers must be fished in that way, and the master fly-fisher for trout is the man who, regulating his methods to the requirements of the day, the water, and their ever varying moods, can adapt himself to circumstances as an adept of all styles. It is one of the leading instructions of the dry-fly master that the disciple shall remain inactive, possessing his soul in patience, and standing by until the trout are seen to be visibly rising at, and taking, the fly sailing down stream. On Itchen, Test, Kennet, and any other typical chalk stream, the angler may accordingly be ob- served, for hours together, watching for the rise. The wet-fly fisherman, with his cast of assorted winged, hackled, or spider patterns, like his forefathers, arriving at the waterside, comes into action at once, animated by the hope that the trout, if they give no sign of dimpling ring, are busy below, feeding on trifles borne at varying depths in the current. Should they treat his flies with disdain, at least no opportunity has been wasted. The experienced dry-fly fisherman, where the character of the stream does not for- Waiting for the Rise. bid, stations himself below the fish, kneeling on the bank to lessen the chances of scaring the shy trout ; his aim is to cast his single floating- fly three or four inches above the mentally marked position of a rising fish, and to do this accurately at the first cast. Simple as the operation may appear, it can only be done to perfection by the exercise of long experience and extreme skill. The casting of the line so that the floating-fly shall drop at the precise point aimed at and at once assume the position and appearance of the natural insect, and to do this when and where it will secure the attention of, but without alarming, the alert trout below, is one of the triumphant feats of fly fishing. The angling] THE encyclop.*;dia of sport 13 whisking of the fly through the air by backward and forward wavings of the rod, and the length of line often necessary for reaching a distant fish, keep the angler in healthy exercise if the rise is protracted. The former tax upon the strength may, however, be lessened, though not quite avoided, by the modern practice of anointing the fly with odourless paraffin, or some other unguent, by a touch of the camel's- hair brush on hackles and wings ; a couple of flourishes will then suffice for drying the fly. The wet-fly fisherman, who cares for none of these things, has the privilege, at any rate, of being constantly on the move, always hopeful that at least one of his flies will find a trout ; while in the progress of fishing steadily up or down the stream he is able to change his scene with his chances at every hour. The dry-fly fisherman was a South of England product, and was the effect of which the educated trout of the chalk streams was the cause. In other parts of the three kingdoms, the wet-fly fisherman is the rule, but it is a rule the exceptions to which are becoming more and more numerous. [See Trout and Char.] Artificial flies, either for salmon or the smaller game fish, will be treated of hereafter. [See S.^LMON and Se.vTrout, Fly Dressing.] A general reference to fly fishing does not end witii mention of salmon, salmo trutta, and fresh- water trout. The grayling must have passing attention. This is a fish which, with many un- doubted sporting qualities and one special virtue, is not always popular with trout fisher- men. Yet it is one of the freest of surface- feeders, and has all the qualities of a fiy- fisher's pet. Having an adipose fin, the gray- ling is, like the smelt, classed among the Salniflnidcs, but in bodily appearance there is no other resemblance. It, however, gives the same kind of sport, with, generally speaking, the same methods in fly fishing ; and the special virtue hinted at above is that, when trout fishing ceases at the end of September, the grayling is at its prime, and may be fished for throughout the winter. [See Gr.wling.] Besides grayling there are a few of the sum- mer spawners, such as dace, bleak, rudd, roach and chub, which, for want of bettter, are not unworthy the attention of the fly-fisher, the first four with small flies, and the last with large palmers, imitations of moths, bees, and beetles. Only in the hot months, however, is the sport at all worth the trouble of attempting their capture with the tackle intended for higher game. [See Thames Fishing.] Spinning and Trolling — These may be re- garded as synonymous terms since, in the country south of the Trent, the second has fallen into disuse. In Scotland and Ireland, when fishing men talk about trolling, they mean the use of the spinning bait, especially as prac- tised from a boat, and in the majority of in- stances the reference will be merely to the some- what mechanical process of trailing from the stern. Trolling, however, is a word once of definite signification to English pike-fishers. It was known two centuries ago — was in use, prob- ably, long before what we understand as spinning was in vogue. One of the quaintest of the older angling books is the venerable Nobbes' Art of Trolling. Nobbes was a master of the now discredited method. Its main feature was the dead gorge bait, which is now discountenanced by all respectable angling societies and sports- manlike persons, except when used as a means of warrantable destruction. As the process, there- fore, will not be further described it may here be stated that the bait employed is a dead roach, dace, or gudgeon, through whose body, from mouth to tail, is passed a leaded wire permitting the issue from the caudal fin of a short length of gimp looped at the end for fixture to the reel line. A rank hook, either a double or single, welded into the lead, slightly protrudes from the side of the bait's mouth. The small dead fish thus armed is cast at first close to the bank upon which the angler is standing, allowed to sink head first to the bottom, the angler pulling in short lengths of line in successive coils, working the bait up and down slowly in the water. The silvery fish is thus represented as swimming be- tween and out of weeds, or as darting in spas- modic jerks from the bottom to the top, now sinking and now ascending. It is a deadly method of attracting the marauder lying perdu in the subaqueous copses. The pike seizes its prey across the middle of the body, twists it round into its bristling jaws and swal- lows (or gorges) it head foremost. The art, such as it was, of trolling, afforded wholesome re- creation to generations of innocent pike-fishers, who never supposed they were sinning against the light. The secret of it was to ensure the com- plete gorging of the bait before putting any sort of check upon the line. The pike would some- times seize the bait with a strong snap, which left the troller in no doubt of the fact, but very frequently the check would be so slight that the unaccustomed hand might suppose the sinking and roving bait was entangled with weed ; if he then tightened the line the chances were strong that he would scare his pike. The custom, therefore, was to allow the fish to run un- checked until it stopped of its own accord ; this it would presently do in pursuance of its habit of pausing to pouch or gorge. Fishermen used to time this period of expectancy ten minutes by the watch. When the bait was gorged, the gullet of the pike would so tighdy encase the bait that the strong, protruding hooks entered its vitals. The victim came in with little fight, and there was no possibility of restoring it to the water after such treatment. Within recent times, as the stock of pike diminished >4 THE ENCYCL(Jl'.i;i)IA OF SPORT [angliko in rivers where they -were tolerated for sport, an outcry was raised against the mur- derous gorge-hook, the principal objection being that under-sized fish were ruthlessly and un- necessarily slaughtered. In many waters the use of the gorge hook, as in the Thames, is therefore prohibited. With this passing description of a method which is now only legitimate in waters where pike are ranked as vermin, and where it is desirable to kill them of all sorts and sizes, we are free to deal with the general subject. Spinning is the cosmopolitan form of angling. Allowed to rank next to fly fishing as a fine art, it is of wide application, is applied to every descri])tion of game fish, is not only popular with the fresh-water angler in Great Britain but with the sea-fisherman who thereby with rod and line obtains spirited sport with such fish as bass, pollack, and mackerel, and is practised by the casual angler in all parts of the globe. Wherever predatory fish are to be found, there the angler may remember the adage in whist, and when in doubt play his trump in the shape of some kind of spinning bait. Mahseer in India, the hucho in Bavaria, the monster trout of the Canadian lakes, the prolific salmon of the Pacific, are alike taken by the spinning rod. The method is capable of varied treatment, and has some of the good points which are enumera- ted for fly fishing; the spinning man, for example, is not condemned to inactivity in a ^\'indsor chair, or on the camp-stool by the waterside, but like the trout or salmon fisher is in healthy bodily movement during his term of sport. Another recommendation to the hardy sportsman is that spinning for pike affords excellent recreation during the winter months, when all coarse fish are in the height of condition. Even when the grayling rise but seldom to the fly, the pike are in keen humour, in prime colour and form, with appetites often sharpened rather than depressed by the hard frosts and hoAvling north-easters, which put an end to other kinds of sport. Artificial Baits — The spinning-rod, how- ever, is largely used also for salmon and trout. It is certain that the practice of spinning for salmon has increased during the last •quarter of a century ; and were all the truth made known, it would be found that many of the bags made upon salmon rivers, and published weekly in the sporting newspapers, are made by the blue phantom, or silver and golden minnow. The principle underlying the art of spinning is to attract the fish by the move- ment through the water of an object that shall imitate, in shape and action, some form of aquatic life. The artificial baits which have been invented to effect this object are legion. They are of metal, gutta-percha, and of soleskin, in the case of the phantom, which is a collapsible object when out of the water, but a plump imitation of trout, gudgeon, or loach when, set in motion by the spinning-rod, it becomes filled with water. Some of the artificial baits, brightlj glittering, or artificially coloured, are armed with fans at the head to ensure the spinning, but these permanent outstanding fixtures are not in unison with the tastes of all anglers ; to meet their wishes a very effective pattern of artificial fish is pro- duced, the spin of which is effected by a fi.xed Tike Rod and Bar-sfoox. curvature of the tail. Notwithstanding the host of " notions" which have been placed upon the market as registered or patented inventions, there is probably no better all-round artificial spinning-bait for salmon and pike than the spoon, which spins, as the saying goes, like a flash, is without the compUcations which often render the ingenious patents useless after a few trials, and which, by the colouring of the inner ANl-.l.lNl. THE excvclop.i:dia of sport IS surface (gold, copper, or even red), presents a brilliantly tempting ajipearance in the water. In the salmon rivers of Norway, in the estuaries on the Pacific coast, there is no more trusted lure than the spoon. For pike fishing also this rough and ready imitation of a darting fish is most effective, and when the pike run large, a spoon of five inches in length is not a whit oversized. It is maintained that the spoon as a bait for predatory fish was first discovered by accident in the United .States, and at the Chicago World's Fair, what was laljelled as the first spoon ever used in angling, was exhibited. The rude mother- of-pearl and bone hooks that are used by the South Sea Islanders, and certain devices known to the New Zealand Maories when the white settler first visited them, were the crude originals of the beautifully finished spinning-baits of to-day. Natural Baits — The small natural fishes upon which the ravenous pike, prowling perch, and dashing trout of our fresh waters largely sub- sist, are, however, the most reliable baits for general spinning, and for their utilisation there is an ample choice of flights and hooks at the service of the angler. The earlier kinds of spin- ning flights consisted of two or three sets of strong triangles with perhaps a single hook for insertion in the lip. For salmon or trout such hooks are mounted upon treble or single gut to suit the magnitude of the fish to be caught. The formidable teeth of the pike, and the ser- rated interior of his gaping mouth, render it necessary, however, to approach him with stronger gear, and the hooks should be fastened to a six-inch length of gimp, or a special adaptation of wire. The two objects which the spinner must primarily keep in view are (i) the employment of swivelled traces and bait fashioned so as to ensure regular spinning, bringing the bait though the water in, as far as possible, a natural course and manner of pro- gression ; and (2) regulation of the advancing object at a speed and depth suitable to the habits of the fish and the force, colour, and depth of the water. Spinning, if properly studied, requires intelligent study of the circumstances of the day. In fairly flowing rivers, the current will, in practised hands, like the action of the rod in fly fishing, do much of the work for the angler, while in a lake or dead pool he must rely entirely upon his own dexterity, unless he indulges in the harling or trailing in which the boatmen play a leading part. It must be repeated that the paramount essential is that the bait spins properly. The salmon- or trout-fisher who uses the phantom, spoon, or minnow may reckon upon the encouraging assistance of a lively current, which, in a measure, if he understands how to humour it, will take charge of the bait, and present it in the most perfect manner to the fish over which it travels; when the line is trailed from the stern of a boat a like advantage is ensured by the intelligently-calculated rowing of an experienced boatman. Anglers who have carefully studied the habits of the ])ike, which is the fish par excellence for the spinning-rod, fre- quently differ in opinion upon one point, viz., is it best that the bait shouUl spin in a straight line, or in a series of jerks and gyrations ? In this, as in everything else (notably in wet- and dry-fly fishing), it will be found that the best man in the long run is he who can adapt himself to all conditions. There are times when a pike that will run half-heartedly at the bait which repre- sents a smaller fish moving in a decorously straight track, will rush savagely at the imitation which, by a different fixing of the tackle, is in- duced to progress in a series of awkward and fantastic evolutions. The theory is that the appearance of a roach swimming at ease was apparently noticed without excitement, while the suggestion that here was a wounded or feeble creature, trying to escape, aroused the sharkish propensities of the wolf of the waters. The duty devolving upon the angler, any where and at all times, is pilain : if one method fails, try another. One of the most important considerations, yet one commonly overlooked in spinning, is the weighting of the bait to correspond with the character of the water fished. The latest tackles devised for spinning with natural baits have been brought to a high state of effectiveness ; there are endless con- trivances for fastening the hooks to the dead fish, and for concealing the weight necessary for sinking it in its own body. This is without question better than leads, detachable or per- manent, affixed a foot or so up the trace ; with certain tackles, these are, however, unavoidable, but a double splash is inevitable when the bait is cast forth by the spinning-rod. The bait leaded within itself, on the contrary, may, skilfully treated, be made to fall lightly, with but one dis- turbance. The detachable lead carries the dis- tinct advantage of enabling the angler to weight his gear to suit the different conditions of water. Faulty Spinning — Too many spinning men seem to have an idea, if they ever think at all about the matter, that the fish for which they spin are surface or middle-water feeders, and the result is disastrous. Pike lie low, and spring upwards, as their mood finds them. To-day they will not budge for anything but prey that touches their no.se ; to-morrow they will lea]j from the deep out of water in pursuit. Mid- water is the happy mean for spinning, but quite close to the bottom is frequently the depth to which the bait should be regulated. There is no more besetting sin in the spinner, above all in the pike-fisher, than to work above the heads of his game. Another mistake frequently made is as to speed. It stands to reason that a fish must be honestly sharp set, and in the true fighting humour, to dart after prey that is scurrying through the water at express speed. The rapid spinner is like the fly fisher who plucks away the fly in over-eager fashion. The accomplished angler always avoids i6 THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT (angling these two dangers, and will never rest until he learns how to weight his bait to a nicety at will, and to accomplish speed upon common- sense principles. We have mentioned as fish which are syste- matically caught bv spinning, the salmon, trout, pike, perch and sundry sport-yielding sea fish, but at odd times chub, carp, grayling, dace, eels, and barbel are deluded by spinning-hooks fairly taken in their mouths. Barbel are so caught principally in the state of restlessness incidental to recovery from the exhaustion of spawning. At these interesting periods they pack together in the rough water, and it is a daily experience during April and May for Thames trouters, spinning from the weir heads, to have their time and temper wasted by struggles with huge, worthless, out-of-season barbel. The taking of spinning-baits by grayling, and by the minor coarse fish, may be included amongst the things that seldom happen. These remarks upon spin- ning have of necessity involved frequent mention of salmon, trout, and pike, and it may be added that a so-called spinning-fly has been introduced into salmon fishing ; the creation is distinguished by a pair of metal fans at the head of an ordinary salmon-fly, and the trace must be swivelled. Imitations of small birds cast with spinning or salmon-rodfor pike, are often successful in shallow waters, in the late summer months, when the fish are basking among the weeds, but it is only by a stretch of imagination that this method can be described as either fly fishing or spinning. It stands as an independent entry in the methods of pike fishing, and with it may // here be mentioned the much I practised sport of fishing wdth I live bait upon snap-tackle, by which the fish, struck sharply at the run, is hooked in the mouth, and has therefore the opportunity of return to the water if undersized or out of condition. [Sc'e Pike.] Bottom Fishing — In angling, the greatest happiness for the greatest number is yielded by the humbler phase of the sport which has been, not too happily, designated as bottom fishing. The presump- U- « tion that the plebeian denizens '/j of the lake, river, and pond *^ feed entirely upon the bottom is but partly warranted. As has been intimated on a pre- vious page, some of the so- called "coarse " fish are surface feeders, and the dace is so much so, that it might almost be considered a link between the game fish proper, and those which are specially treated in the Act of Parliament bearing the name of Mr. Mundella, who took charge of the measure in the year LuE Hait Tackle. (" Jardine Snap.") when the Fresh-water Fisheries Act became law. The remarkable increase in the number ot anglers has chiefly been amongst the wage- earning classes, who fish in the more primitive methods which may be followed at a minimum of expense and expenditure of time. The school- boy who is born with the instinct of angling first puts his predilections into practice by a simple wand, a length of string, a painted float, a shotted line, and a cheap hook that is neverthe- less all-sufficient for impaling the wriggling worm or pellet of paste, and for swishing out behind him the perch and roach which constitute his juvenile triumphs. The unpoisoned rivers in the vicinity of towns are still well stocked with roach and dace, with barbel, chub, bream, and gudgeon ; and in the lakes and ponds there are stores of tench and carp, which are also occasionally found in rivers. The apparatus used in coarse-fishing is cheaper and more simple than that necessary for the more aristocratic branches of the sport, and that is why, since the diffusion of cheap literature and the facilities for travel established by rail- ways, the artisans of Great Britain have in their tens of thousands become patient disciples of Izaak Walton. All anglers are called ^^'altonians, but it is doubtful whether the old man knew much about fly fishing or spinning. He, how- ever, was an adept in all-round fishing, and his memorable idyll owes its charms to his love for, and knowledge of, angling for coarse fish. The crowds of men and youths who go out of London every Sunday for the Thames or Lea, or from the large provincial towns to the rivers which flow near their homes, may not have read their Izaak Walton, but in the main they follow the directions which he laid down, and which have been adopted from generation to genera- tion with very little alteration. To those who never personally angled for roach in the Thames or Trent, or for bream in the slow-running Mid- land rivers, the recreation, with its modest appli- ances, may seem ridiculously simple, yet in its degree there is as much skill required for success with these essentially shy species as with those which have been previously considered. Rods and Lines — The most general form of bottom-fishing is for roach and dace. These gregarious fish shift their ground in search of food, cruising wide in summer, and retiring to the deeps as the weeds which supply them with food disappear before autumn floods and winter frosts. Their established haunts are the angler's " swims," and by the aid of ground-bait the fish may, when they intermit- tently rove, be soon attracted back. All fish are easily frightened by disturbance or unac- customed objects on the bank, but the roach is pre-eminently shy, and to be an adept in catching it demands long experience and infinite patience. There are also schools of bottom-fishermen, and they are in the nature of old foundations. Thames, Trent, and Lea have «!' 'i f. ♦ '^ angling] THE ENXVCLOP.EDIA OF SPORT their own curriculum. The bank-fisher's stock begins with a hollow bamboo rod of eighteen or twenty feet in length, without rings or winch fas- tenings. There being no reel a running line is dispensed with. The line for this rod should be fine, and shorter than the rod, for the fish bites gingerly, and the strike should be instan- taneous ; this is only possible with a rod that is comparatively stiff, even to the point, and length of line sufficient to permit of angling with the rod held horizontally over the water. Some- times the roach bites boldly, and the quill float disappearing sharply, a turn of the angler's wrist and a quick uplifting of the point hooks the stricken fish ; with such a rod, landing is effected by unshipping the butt and reducing the length. Until comparatively recent times all the foot- lines were of horsehair, and many modern roach-fishers use them. To the human eye, horse-hair looks much coarser than the fine drawn gut which has extensively superseded it, but as it keeps free of globules of water, and does not glitter, it is probably least obtrusive to the eye of the fish. Mention has been made of ground-bait, and although it is indis- pensable, in excess it is destructive of chances. Most professional fishermen indulge profusely in masses of moistened bran, bread, and clay pounded together. The object of ground-bait is to attract and not surfeit, and no more is required in the ordinary forms of bottom-fishing than a few balls so kneaded that the lighter con- stituents slowly flake off when the bulk has found resting place ; small pellets thrown in at intervals are enough to keep the fish, once gathered to the spot, in the swim. Coarse fish, like the bream, may have more liberal treatment, and bushels of grains are often cast forth over night to bring together a herd of fish for the angler at the earliest dawn of day. The favourite ground-bait for barbel, which has habits and haunts of its own, are large dew worms, whole or chopped, and chandlers' greaves. Float Fishing- — The methods of bottom fishing are — float-tackle, legering, and pater- nostering ; and of these, the first affords the popular summer pastime on the river, with legering as the tour de force for barbel. The merits of float-fishing are apparent when the weedy bottom of a river is confronted, but when the bed is of gravel, hard sand, or clay, the leger will answer for almost any kind of coarse fish, and it is a method that suits the idle fisherman, who, having cast out his lead, through which the foot line is allowed to pass freely, waits until the " knock knock " at the rod-top signals a fish attempting the bait. In fishing a roach swim, the bait, shotted to trip over the bottom, is always travelling, to be with- drawn for re-travel as it reaches the end of the swim. The float drifts down its allotted course, necessitating no more e.xertion fcr the angler than its repeated withdrawal. It is, in summer time, a delightful form of angling, and social in its tendencies, in that ladies indulge in it, though, nowadays, it is growingly the fashion for fair dames and damsels to despise the gudgeon, which beauty draws with a single hair, and to be satisfied with nothing less than trout- or salmon-rod. The different ways in which these plebeians of the coarse-fish streams bite give zest to the sport. The roach nibbles so tenderly that, to an ordinary eye, the float is not disturbed, but the Thames or Lea expert will ; ^^- \ r Tike Rod. Roach Pole. Punt Rod. have noticed the faint movement, and, striking at the right time, secured his prize. The dace pulls down the tell-tale with decision ; the little gudgeon does the same ; the wary carp (when it can be induced to feed at all) is also a bold customer. The perch, beloved of youngsters for his dashing, fearless habits, also leaves no doubt as to his proceedings under water. The tench, one of the least common of the coarse fishes, trifles with the bait before taking it, with leisurely movement. The bream is also a slow biter ; and the fish has a habit of playing with the bait for several minutes before the final seizure. The float meanwhile will be bobbing and slanting, and even lying flat on the water, c i8 THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF SPORT [angling a position caused by the fish rising with the bait in its mouth. Nor is it ahvays safe to strike at this abnormal movement. It is much better to wait a moment or two, when the horizontal position will be gradually changed ; the quill will slant off to the perpendicular, and then quickly disappear for final conclusions. The gamest of coarse fishes is the strongly-built barbel. Fishing " fine and far off," is a golden maxim for bottom-fishers, and one of the verities is a thorough acquaintance with the bed of the river. The plummet is the means to this end, and the practised angler would as soon think of going out without this useful article as without his hook. Nottingham Method — The two high schools of bottom fishers, Thames and Trent, were once sharply defined, but they have learnt to adopt each other's styles. The prin- ciple of the Nottingham men was the travelling tackle, or " long corking " ; in other words bottom fishing at a long distance from the angler's base. The special tackle for this is a long and supple rod, upright rings, a Notting- ham reel without check or complications, the finest undressed silk lines, and quill or cork float. The angler, by this method, keeps absolutely out of sight of the fish. The Not- tingham system of casting is flattered by imitations, and has become fashionable in salmon, trout, and pike fishing. It is difficult to master ; everything is done from the free running winch, and the difficulty is to so regulate the reel, that there shall be no over- running. The angler in preparing to cast, winds in his baited line until less than a yard length is left hanging from the top ring. He turns partly away from the water to effect the necessary swing over his left shoulder, and the skilful practitioner, bringing his shotted line round with a nicely- adjudged swing, casts an incredible distance. This is one of the approved methods of casting the phantom, or angel minnow for salmon or trout. With the Nottingham style, the coiling of the line on the grass, in the hand, or on the bottom of a boat, as with other methods, is avoided ; and the fisherman is able to work without danger or confusion when there are obstacles behind or around him on the margin of the stream. The Angler's Equipment — To describe in full the paraphernalia which furnish an angler's equipment, would be impossible and profitless. Without any extra encouragement, he is prone to overburden himself with non-essentials. What- ever branch of the sport he favours, he at least cannot do without his rod. There was a time when the ingenious makers of the United States were able, without deadly sin, to boast that we of the old country were centuries behind. Fishing so often as they do from boats in vast waters where there are no obstacles to the play of a fish, they were able to reduce the length of their rods and the corresponding tackle to the smallest Sectio.n of Split Cane. proportions. Their special pre-eminence was in split cane rods, generally of six sections of se- lected cane glued together. We have overtaken them, and have for years produced rods that are not to be surpassed. The split cane rods, spite of their costliness, are highly appreciated, and English patterns are now exported to the Colonies, the Con- tinent and America. Many salmon -fishers neverthe- less remain faithful to the stouter, heavier, and cheaper, but not less ser- viceable, greenheart. It is the same with trout- as with salmon-rods in this respect. The selection, as has already been suggested, is a matter to be decided by the angler him- self; the neophyte, of course, will take the coun- sel of a competent adviser; ornamental fittings are no harm if they are no good, and there is no law against buying a rod because it is the latest pattern. But the real desideratum is a weapon that can be handled without discom- fort. The middle course lies between the ex- tremes of stiffness and suppleness. With respect to a stiff fly-rod there are almost as many pros as cons. It is true that with a stiff rod the cast may be better delivered, the fly more decisively taken from the water, and a maximum of power obtained in a rough adverse wind, but flies are oftener whipped off, and the physical strength is more severely taxed. The springy rod is not so easily managed, but practice makes perfect ; and when the taste has been acquired, as with the devotees of Castle Connell, it lasts for a lifetime. Another consideration in the choice of a fly rod is, ferrule v. splice. The advocates of the splice declare that the rod can be put together as quickly as the ferruled, but this is theory and not practical experience with the majority. There is no question that a well-spliced rod offers a harmony of play from butt to point which cannot possibly be obtained with the ferruled ; but the balance of argument is on the side of the ferrule, especially in these days when automatic fasten- ings have been invented, removing the objection often heard to the inconvenience of tying the joints together. Rod Woods — Although a number of new woods are continually tried for the manu- facture of rods, the familiar materials are still the best. Greenheart is the timber most largely imported for rod making. The tree grows in British Guiana, and none but picked selections should be worked up by the rod- makers. Lancewood, with which the top joints were formerly made, being less heavy than greenheart, has gone a little out of fashion, except for the cheaper sort of trout-rod. The hickory used for the common rods turned out by the wholesale firms is the American variety. Ash angling] THE ENCYCLOP.^iDIA OF SPORT '9 was once an indispensable butt for all kinds of fishing rods, and when the wood is well seasoned may always be depended upon. Washaba, mahoe, snakewood, and, most recently of all, another West Indian timber, called steelwood, enter into the composition of trout-rods, but do not oust the greenheart. The canes, however, have apparently come to stay, and the whole, or hollow, bamboo or cane, as it is termed in contra- distinction to the solid split cane, is now much used for salmon- and trout-rods. The bamboo rods are very light and remarkably strong, but they are apt to weaken at the ferrule. Canes are mostly shipped from India. Winches — Next to the rod is the winch ; and this mechanism, much more than any other part of the angler's equipment, has monopolised the ingenuity of the patentee. In America, especi- ally, the reel is an affair of complicated and delicate works, very beautiful to look at, delight- ful to use, so long as its intricate parts act smoothly as per design. But in angling, it is a wise ma.xim that the simplest is the best, and Nottingham ; Past a.nd Pre&e.st. that all inventions should be avoided which in- crease the risks of disaster when the angler is at the waterside far froiji means of repairing mechanical break-downs. These exquisite novelties will never lack customers ; but most men, having given the patented and registered reels a trial, are content to return to the well- made hard-metal winches, -(nth their serviceable check. The multiplying arrangement of the last generation has been discarded, and the tendency of the moment is towards the winches which are a compromise between the check pure and simple, and the absolutely unchecked Not- tingham reel. The salmon-winch, for example, that will be required in a strong water where the fish run large, and where the stoutest of salmon- gut IS necessary, will need a strong check action that will tell upon a running salmon without application of the hand to the line. When the streams are shrunken and clear, and the size of the fly has to be reduced to sea-trout size, with a corresponding change from the stoutest to medium gut, the check should be less obdurate. To meet these divers conditions, reels have been furnished with the means of regulating the revolu- tions of the free runners. The most recent of \ \, \ \ \ (^ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ N \ \ \ \ \ \ S \ N \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ N s N \ \ \ these is a cle\'er in\ention whereby the angler, by putting his thumb upon the rim, can reduce the speed of the wheel to almost stoppage point. Reels are made of bronze, brass, gun- and other metals ; of wood with light metal protections, and of ebonite. The reel should be, above all things, of the best quality, for it is the gear upon which dependence is direct in critical times. Rod, line, and fish are each and all in danger with an inferior winch. Lines — In lines, again, the whims and fancies of anglers are encouraged by the makers ; the main con- siderations — after the matter of strength — are the weight of the line as adapted to the rod, and the best of dressings. For casting there was nothing better tLan the silk and hair formerly used by fly-fishers, but they were liable to hold the wet, io perish prematurely, and to play unpleasant tricks when least expected. Dressed silk lines are in these days thoroughly prepared by scientific methods. It is questionable whether a ta- pered line is, in the long run, preferable in salmon fishing to one of even sub- stance. A salmon-line should be about 120 yards long, though it is seldom during a lifetime that 100 yards will not suffice. There is an element of excitement, no doubt, in the narrative one occasionally reads of a gal- lant fish taking 100 yards of line out at a gallop, but, with proper handling of the rod, such an occurrence seldom happens. A cast of 30 yards is a fair distance for the sal- mon-rod and generally ample for fishing purposes. A trout- line of 50 yards is more than sufficient for the day, as not half the quantity will be in use for ordinary fish. Such lines are now made for dry-fly fishing, tapered at both ends, and heavy in the middle to fit the temper of spht cane rods. Hooks — The bulk of the fish hooks used in the world are made in England — Redditch and Kendal being the centres of manufacture. They are exported by millions. The preference of the moment is for the Pennell-Limerick in salmon, and a Pennell-Sneck pattern for the superior class of small trout flies. The sizes vary from c 2 Tapered Line. THE ENCVCLOP.-EDIA OF SPORT [angling the huge sahnon-fly affected in the spring, and at other periods for heavy waters and the tiny midge iron, known as ooo or No. 17, according to the custom of the manufacturer. The latter are probably as near an approach to the invisible hook as can be reached with safety ; and as they are often required to land trout of two and three pounds, the temper of the steel must be beyond suspicion. Individual fancy, here, as in other necessaries for a fisherman's outfit, will rule the choice of hooks, upon which experts like Mr. Cholmondele3--Pennell have devoted the are naturally expert in the making and repairing of tackle ; others are naturally clumsy with their fingers and never succeed in even the rudi- mentary mechanical achievements. The in- capables, however, need not distress them- selves, since everything that is necessary, and with heaps to spare, can be purchased from the tackle makers. Care of Tackle — There are certain opera- tions, nevertheless, which the angler should try to master ; he need not enter into a course of instruction in the mysteries of fly- Pennell[£/edJ 5r,eckBend. RouhdBenrl. ^''^iH^^i'^'^^- Kirby. n p n (i 19. 12. hi. \ ^^■ Limerick [Eyed] 1/2 l.|[Eyed] Treble [Eyadand Shank] Double Pennell. Scale of Hooks. Study of a life-time. Upon the question of hooks, however, anglers are apt to be particularly faddy. Various — The fly-fisher, besides his rod, line, and winch, his fly-buok or his box, requires a net or gaft", a basket or bag, and a set of waders. These are the essentials of his equipment, but the catalogue may be extended ad lib. for those who require their spring balance weighing- machine, vaseline, " priest," gag, disgorger, knee- protector, clearing ring, and small bottle of odourless paraffin for the anointment of the cock-winged flies. In case of accidents by the waterside, a little spare silk, scissors, pliers, and wa.x, are really useful, but the angler's equip- ment, when overdone, increases his burden without adding to his efficiency. Many anglers dressing, but he should be able to whip a hook to a trace, or patch up a broken rod top. And, next to the acquisition of sound simple tackle comes the duty of taking method- ical care of it, both when in use and when in inaction. The line should always be taken off the reel to dry at the end of a day's fishing ; the ferruled joints should be kept vaselined ; and every bit of varnish that is accidentally knocked off should be replaced ; flies should be kept in an atmosphere of albo-carbon, or other pre- ventive, to keep out moths ; hooks deposited where rust will not corrupt, and gut casts ex- cluded from light and moisture. Precautions like these mean money saved, and efficiency promoted. angling] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT Seasons and Regulations — By the law of the land, rod-fishing for salmon begins in England and \\'ales on February i stand ends on November 2nd ; in Scotland, the season is from February loth to November ist; in Ireland, the dates vary according to districts, but the close time for netting must never be less than 168 days. The general trout season begins with February and ends with September, but at present in Scotland there is no fence-time for trout. The duration of the close-seasons for salmon is often fi.xed by the local Boards of Conservators under powers given them by the Salmon Fisheries Act, and the legal limits are only enforced where the rivers are not under local governance. Accordingly, salmon-fishing in Scotland practically extends from January loth in the north to the end of November in the south, but these are the extreme exceptions affecting a small proportion of the streams. All MoDEK.N Creel. private trout fisheries in England are allowed to fix their own close times, and they vary con- siderably in different districts. Trout are not in condition before March in any river, and in the choicest streams the opening day is in April or May. The last day of September is the invari- able limit of the season. Salmon licences are required in England, Wales and Ireland, but not in Scotland. By the Act for the Protection of Fresh-water Fish (Mundella's), passed in 1878, a close season is established in public waters from March 15th to June 15th for all kinds of fish other than the migratory species. The middle of June is, however, too early for the coarse fish which spawn in March, April, and May, and the pike and roach have not recovered their condition until July at the earliest. The Lea Conservators, indeed, do not allow angling for pike and perch till August ist, nor for other coarse fish until the ist July. Minimum Sizes — The limits of size for fish caught in angling vary, according to the quality of the streams, and the standard decided upon by societies or individuals. In rivers where the trout rarely run large, the minimum length is often eight or nine inches. The maximum figure is upon the Thames, the trout of which are a special and most gallant variety ; and here the limit fixed by bye-law is sixteen inches, representing a trout, in good condition, of about two pounds. A twelve-inch limit for trout and a ten-inch for grayling are generally considered a sportsman- like^ standard. The average scale of the fishing clubs for other species are — Pike, iSin. ; perch, 8 in. ; chub, carp, and bream, loin. ; rudd and dace, 6 in. ; tench, 8 in. ; barbel, 13 in. ; gudgeon, 4 in. ; roach, 7 in. ; bleak, 4 in. ; pope, 4 in. Literature — There is no English sport so rich in literature as angling, and it is of all qualities — theoretical and practical ; idyllic and didactic ; ranging over the entire watery world, domineering over whale and minnow with equal zest, and abounding with directions, occasionally, perchance, contradictory and impracticable, as to how to capture the fishes of sea and river. The magnitude of the angler's bookshelves has been indicated on a previous page, in the refer- ence to ^^'estwood and Satchell's Bibliotheca Piscatoria, a monument of painstaking research, careful compilation, and remarkable accuracy. In the thirteen years which have intervened since its issue by authors since deceased, many practical fishing books have been published, and it only remains in this article to specify the useful works by which the angler, in search of information to assist him in his sport, will be faithfully served. The poetry and lighter litera- ture of angling wq may leave for the reader's own discovery. It is not to be supposed that those processes of angling in its various branches, which have been briefly outlined in the foregoing pages, can be wholly learned from books, but the written page is a super- structure upon which experience will rise more rapidly and surely than would otherwise be the case. The following is a recommended selec- tion : — Fishing for Salmon — "Badminton I,ibrai-y" — Salmon and Trout ( Longmans) ; How to Tie Sahnon Flies, Captain Hale (Sampson Low) ; The Salmon Fly, G. M. Kelson (Wyman and Sons) ; Hod and River, Major Fisher (Bentley) ; By Hook and by Crook, Fraser Sandeman (Sotheran). Trout and Grayling — Floating Flies and How to Dress then ; and F)yy Fly Fishing in 'Theory a>id Practice, F. M. Halford (Sampson Low) ; Fly Fishing fir Salmon, Trout and Graylim;, Dr. Hamilton ■(Sampson Low) ; Fly Hods and Fly Tackle, H. P. Wells (Sampson Low) ; Practical Fly Fishing, J. Beever (Methuen and Co.); British Angling Flies, Theakston, edited by F. ^I. Walbran (Sampson Low) ; North Country Flies, T. E. Pritt (Sampson Low) ; The Fly Fishers Entomology, Alf. Ronalds (Longmans) ; Favourite Flies (America), Mary Orvis Marbury (Samp- son Low) ; The Angler and the Loop Pod, David Webster (Blackwood). General Angling — A Book on Angling, Francis Francis (Longmans) ; The Book of the A II- Pound Angler, THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF SPORT [angli NG John Bickeidyke (Upcott Gill) ; " Badminton Librar)' "— Pike and Coarse Fish (Longmans) ; The Pyaclicat Fisliermaiiy J. H. Keene (Upcott Gill); Angling, ami Hoiv to Angle, Burgess, edited by R. B. Marston {V. Warne and Co. ) ; Fish and Fishing, J. J. Mauley, M.A. (Sampson Low); The Nottingham Style of Float Fishing and Spinning, J. \V. Maitin (Sampson Low). Monographs — Tlie Book of the Pi/ie, C. Pennell (Routledge) ; Grayling and How to Catch Them, F. M. Walbran (Angler Co. ) ; The Book of the Poach, Greville Fennell (Sampson Low) ; The Book of the Graylim;, T. E. Pritt (Goodall and Suddick) ; The Book of the Black Bass, Dr. Henshall (Clarke, Cincinnatti) ; The Ouananiche, E. T. D. Chambers (Harper Brothers). • Ichthyological — Making a Fishery, F. M. Halford (Horace Cox) ; The Angler Naturalist, C. Pennell (Rout- ledge) ; Salmon ProHems, Willis Bund (Sampson Low) ; Habits of the Salmon, Major Traherne (Chapman and Hall) ; Domesticated Trout, Livingston Stone (Osgood, IJoston, U.S.); The Anglers Paradise, J- J- Armistead (Angler Co.) ; The Practical Manage- ment of Fisheries, Francis Francis (Horace Cox) ; British and Irish Salmonida, Dr. Day (Horace Cox) ; freshwater Fishes of Europe, FL G. Seeley (Cassell) ; Britisli Fresliwater Fishes, Houghton (Dean) ; British Sporting Fishes, J- Watson (Chapman and Hall) ; British Fishes, Dr. Day (Horace Cox). Fishing Haunts — The Angler's Diary {ilorSiCtCox) ; The Sportsman's Guide to Scotland (Watson Lyall) ; How and Where to Fish in Ireland, Hi Regan (Sampson Low) ; T/ie Pod in India, Thomas (Calcutta) ; Norfolk Broads and Rivers, G. C. Davies (Blackwood) ; Travel and Trout in the Antipodes, W. Senior (Chatto and Windus) : Near and Far, W. Senior (Sampson Low) ; Af^lini; Travels in Norway, Fraser Sandeman (Chapman and Hall). Legal — Oke's Fishery Laws, and the Freshwater Fishery Acts of 187S and 18S4, J. W. Willis Bund (Butterworths) ; A Treatise on the Law of Scotland re- lating to Fights of Fishing, C. Stewart, second edition, edited by J. C. Shairp (Clark, Edinburgh) : Digest of the Irish Fisheries Acts, Sir Thomas Brady (Eyre and Spottiswoode). William Senior. COARSE FISH— So far as the so-called "coarse fish" are concerned, the art of angling has perhaps reached its highest level among those who frequent the lovely reaches of the Thames. Much persecution has rendered the fish of our premier river shy to a degree, and Thames anglers, being put on their mettle, now practise almost every known method of fishing with rod and line, and display an amount of skill which is not excelled on any river in the kingdom. To be a thorough Thames angler is to be one who can catch fish in almost any part of the world, though certain foreigners, such as the mahseer and tarpon, of course require different tackle from that used in English streams. Any one who can successfully play a large Thames trout on quite fine tackle in a seething weirpool, will have no difficulty whatever in cap- turing salmon on the stouter gut which is com- monly used for the king of British fishes ; and even the art of dry-fly fishing may be acquired by practising on the dace which, in, alas ! far fewer numbers than formerly, frequent the shallows of the lower portion of the river. The peculiar method of fishing followed by the anglers of the Trent — viz., of sending float- tackle a considerable distance down stream by running a fine silk line off the reel, is much practised on the Thames, and, as we have already said, there are no methods of fishing of any account which are unknown to the more successful among Thames fishermen. Trout and Pike fishing will be found dealt with under separate headings, so we may well begin here with a description of Barbel fishing. Without having the dash and vigour of a trout, the Barbel {Barbus vulgaris) ranks among the strongest of fresh-water fish. Being caught commonly in places where the stream runs strongly, and, unless the water be thick, requiring fairly fine tackle in his capture, he gives more sport than perhaps any other fish in the Thames, the trout excepted. He spawns in the spring, and for a while afterwards, develops a most re- markable appetite, often taking the spinning bait of the trout fisher in the weirpools. However, by the time the angling season opens, which is about June i6th, he begins to feed on worms and other baits. Greaves, called " scratchings " on the Trent, gentles, and cheese, will all account for a barbel occasionally, and these fish are very fond of the caddis at the commencement of the season. They sometimes take a lampern in the autumn. But of all baits the worm stands first, and, perhaps, greaves come second. AVhen the water is very low and clear and the fish seem almost unapproachable, clever anglers occasionally make moderate captures of barbel by using a fine line and a small hook baited with gentles. They place a lump of stiff ground- bait immediately above the hook ; the few gentles on the hook then look as if they formed a portion of the neighbouring mass. This method cannot of course be used in the ordinary heavy barbel swims, but is more suitable to weir- pools when the water is almost or quite shut off. Clay-ball fishing, as it is called, is very similar to this method, but can be practised in stronger streams. Clay into which gentles, greaves, or worms are worked is placed around a tiny cross pieceof stick which is tied into the line just above the bait, or the stick is placed a foot or more above the bait and the gut below the stick is woundround and round the clayball andsqueezed into it. This arrangement if carefully made car> be cast out like a leger. angling] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT The barbel is a remarkably uncertain feeder ; and to Izaak Walton's dictum that one can fish neither too early nor too late for him, there is nothing to be added. He is essentially a summer-feeding fish, and on the Thames the angler is most likely to meet with success after a fall of rain, particularly if the river is somewhat coloured. One of the most phenomenal takes of late years was made when there had been a long drought ; the river had run low, and quanti- ties of barbel had retired into a certain deep hole. Then came a freshet, the hole was fished, the fish fed eagerly and large numbers were taken. Considerable care should be observed in choosing a barbel-rod. With coarse tackle, the rod may be fairly stiff, but the water presses heavily on a stout line and, the barbel being shy and fairly well educated, as fine a line as possible should be preferred. A fine line and a stiff rod spell catastrophe; for the weaker the tackle, the more occasion there is for suppleness in the rod. The favourite line on the Thames is smooth and softly dressed, of eight plait silk ; and a leger is the most common form of tackle at the end of it. The Thames leger consists simply of about a yard of gut with a hook at the end ; above it comes a foot of fine gimp on which is slung a bullet with a single shot so fixed on each end of the gimp as to prevent the bullet working on to the gut. Beyond the gimp may be still more gut, but this is not absolutely necessary. This tackle is cast out either off a Nottingham reel or in the Thames fashion in which the line is pulled off the reel and coiled on the floor of the punt before the cast is made. After the leger is cast out the angler awaits a couple of knocks or a steady pull and then strikes when, if the fish is large, he will encounter a determined re- sistance which is increased by the force of the water. In most Thames barbel-swims, float-tackle is of little use, but in quieter waters, such as one finds in the Trent, and indeed in certain parts of the former river, heavy float tackle can be used with Nottingham tackle. Of this Nottingham fishing there are practically two kinds. The more com- mon method consists in allowing a float to work down stream and draw line off the reel. Some- times the float is cast out and held back. In this last-mentioned method, called " tight-corking," the shot has to be heavy enough to keep the bait on the bottom and the float must be at a greater distance from the bait than the water is deep. Practically, the tackle amounts to a leger with a float, shot taking the place of the bullet. It is a particularly deadly method of catching large roach and other fish when a river is in slight flood and the fish are feeding on the bottom. For " long-corking," except where many shot are required, the favourite float is a quill from the wing of some large bird. For " tight corking," cork floats are more often used. Much success with the barbel is not to be ob- tained without a considerable expenditure of trouble and perhaps money in ground-baiting Several thousands of lobworms are usually placed in barbel-swims, either fixed in clay balls or thrown in loosely, or allowed to crawl into a sod of turf which is dropped into the river. Another plan is to place the worms with a stone or two in a paper bag, and sink the latter. The method to be adopted depends largely on the nature of the swim, local know- ledge, and so forth. The object of baiting is, per- haps, not so much to collect the fish as to get them ac- customed to feed on a certain kind of food and to view it with- out suspicion. Their suspicions being lulled, they take the worm on the angler's hook for a time, but as soon as a few fish have been pricked and lost, or the swim becomes disturbed by other reasons, the effects of the ground- bait appear to wear off. Greaves and cheese should be used very sparingly as ground-bait, as they appear to sicken the fish, and lob-worms should be thrown in whole, otherwise the small fry will get them. It is judicious in an ordinary swim to throw in about 500 worms one morning, 300 twenty-four hours later, and fish it on the morning of the following day. While fishing, worms or pieces of worms should be thrown in from time to time, and the choicest and the best scoured should be selected for the hook. In large pools where barbel are plentiful, many more worms may be thrown in with advantage. The Roach [Leuciscus rutihis) is of all fish the one which yields sport to the largest number of English anglers, and is beloved of the clubmen of both London and the Midlands. A bright, handsome fish, playing for a short time strongly if caught on fine tackle, it is shy to a degree in much-frequented waters. In winter, if properly cooked, it is by no means despicable as food. In the commencement of the season, roach are found in the swiftest streams of a river where they probably go to become re-invigorated after the efforts of spawning. As summer advances, III Slider Float. 24 THE ENCVCLOP.KDIA OF SPORT fAXGLI> they get into slightly deeper water, and wherever there is a nice, gravelly and sandy bottom, and weeds, reeds or rushes, they may be looked for. In winter, their swims depend largely on the state of the water and the temperature. If it is very cold, they seek the deepest waters, while if it is warm, they work out into streams of moderate depth. Thick water invariably sends them into shallow swims, which is a point to be remem- bered, while, when the river runs very clear and the frost is severe, they may be looked for in the deepest holes. Under ordinary " summer " con- ditions the best fish will be found in running water. All fish, it should be noted, rather favour eddies during a flood, for there food is swept and shelter is obtained from the strength of the current. The baits for roach are simply unlimited in number and variety. There is hardly any kind of paste which they will not take, and they feed eagerly on wasp-grubs, gentles, the larvce of all kinds of flies, and water insects, and are often caught on the silk weed. To grain, if stewed until it is tender, they are very partial in certain rivers. and even in those waters where it is not regarded as a suitable bait the fish can be induced to feed on it by baiting up swims some days in advance. The most common method of fishing for roach is with float-tackle, and this may be either used with a tight line, that is to say, the line being made fast to the end of a long rod, or with running tackle. 'Where rivers are shallow and it is desirable to be at some distance from the fish, there the Nottingham method of casting out a float and allowing it to travel with the stream is certainly the best, but in deeper waters where the fish cannot, it may be pre- sumed, see the angler, there the tight line, or Lea method, accounts for the most considerable baskets of fish. Where roach are shy and much fished for, the angler cannot strike too quickly on perceiving a bite. It is obvious that with a tight line and the point of the rod held only a foot or two above the float, the strike can be made quicker than where the float has travelled ten or fifteen yards down stream ; not only in the latter case has the elasticity of the line to be overcome, but there is a loss of time between the actual strike and its effect on the fish, during which the bait may be, and often is ejected. On the Thames, the bank-angler commonly uses a long bamboo roach-pole and tight line ; but large numbers of roach are caught from punts moored across the stream by means of poles called ripecks, the angler lowering the line over the side of the punt, letting the float travel three or four yards, then drawing it in and taking a fresh swim. While this is going on, the attendant will from time to time deposit balls of ground-bait over the side, which keeps the fish together and induces them to feed, if not given with a too lavish hand. Roach-fishing is so largely practised, that many refinements of tackle are affected by the professors of the art, one of the most important of which is, in our opinion, the staining of the gut and the colouring of the hook shank. In winter the best colour for gut is brown, in summer, green to match the weeds, while the hook-shank should be coloured according to the bait ; that is, if gentles are used, white or a very pale yellow ; if wheat, wheat-colour ; if worms, a brownish-red, and so on. These colours are easily made by mixing a little French polish with the dry colour obtained of the oil-and-colour- man. The mixture will dry very quickly. It is not every tackle-maker who sells roach- hooks mounted on sufficiently fine gut, for the houses which supply trout- and salmon-fishermen almost ignore this branch of their trade. To obtain the best roach tackle, it may therefore be necessary to go to the houses which are patron- ised by the London bank-anglers. As to the best shape of hook for roach, there is a diversity of opinion, many anglers preferring the " crystal " bend, while others declare there is nothing so good as the round bend. Silkworm gut is now drawn much finer than horsehair, but not a few anglers still swear by hair on account of its durability, absence of glitter, and for other reasons. A length of drawn gut will fray in the course of a day and, it is believed, is then more visible to the fish than the coarser horsehair, which may perhaps be taken by the fish for a piece of brown weed or some similar natural object. Baits — To revert to the subject of baits — paste, gentles, and creed or stewed wheat, certainly take the highest rank, and it is a singular fact that in many rivers only small roach appear to prefer gentles while the larger fish are caught on wheat or paste. In the early part of the season, a red worm is sometimes found a good bait, and in certain waters, among which the Thames is not one, is regarded all through the year as even better than gentles or paste. In winter, the lobworm is one of the best baits that can be used, provided the water is slightly coloured. In roach-fishing, ground-bait is all important, and it should be in nature somewhat similar angling] THE E.XCVCLOP-EDIA OF SPOR to the hook-bait. One of the best and most commonly used consists of the waste crusts from the bread pan scalded until they are quite soft, the water squeezed out of them, and kneaded into a stiff consistency with the addi- tion of fine bran. To this may be added a little boiled rice, creed wheat, or other food which the roach favour. The amount to be put in depends on the extent of the river and the quantities of fish which are believed to be about. It is obvious that if there is only a shoal of fifty roach it is useless to throw in enough for two thousand. The fifty fish get gorged and refuse to be caught. One of the secrets of success in roach fishing is to put in a little ground-bait frequently and so induce the fish to keep looking about for food. To throw in a quantity of ground-bait at once simply gives them a big feast, after which they retire contentedly to some shady corner out of the way of hooks, floats, and anglers. A great many roach are caught on the leger, such as described under the head of Barbel fishing, but it need hardly be said that for this fish the gut should be much lighter than that used for fighting the heavier tenants of the weirpool. In some rivers, roach come on to the shallows •during the summer and will take an artificial fly, particularly if the hook is tipped with a gentle. The fly should be allowed to sink and then be drawn slowly through the water, and the angler should not strike until he sees- the line tighten, as the roach does not rise like a trout, but swims for some distance after the fly before sucking it in. The 'Rndd {Lcucisais cr}'tkrophthalmus)c\ose\y resembles the roach in appearance, but it is rather deeper in the belly, has a tail more forked, and its red parts are more brightly coloured. A simple method of distinguishing the two fish is to examine the upper lip. This in the roach will be found capable of a slight elongation and •can be pulled down, a convenience which evidently enables the fish to pick up food off the bottom. With the rudd, on the other hand, the upper lip is of a hard, bony, immovable nature. Rudd are not now, so far as we know, found in the Thames, but are exceedingly plentiful in the waters of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, and in many ponds. They will take all the usual roach baits, but are particular favourites with the angler by reason of their readiness to seize < rather than to rise at) an artificial fly. Slapton Lea in Devonshire is a noted water for fly fishing ■for rudd. In hot weather shoals of these fish love to swim over muddy shallows, the bottom of which is paved with weedy verdure. Approach them cautiously and cast a fly in their midst, and the whole shoal will swim towards it, the largest after following it for a yard or two sucking it solemnly into its mouth. In some cases, skilful fly-fishers will, by exercising great care in their method of approaching and playing the fish they hook, kill half the shoal or more before the fish take alarm. Float-tackle, used when the fish are near the surface, should be cast a long distance, the angler keeping as low as possible. The Dace {Leucisms vulgaris), a bright silvery fish, slimmer in shape than, and lacking the red fins of, the roach. It is caught by much the same methods as its more corpulent cousin, but in addition rises like any trout to a fly in shallow waters, and the young would-be trout- fisher cannot do better than try his hand on these pretty fish. Almost any small fly will tempt them, and if they will not rise to the black gnat or other dark fly a bright Soldier Palmer, or white-winged Coachman should be tried. In some rivers, they commonly disdain a wet fly and are as a rule only to be caught with a carefully dried dun or other floating fly. Some of the best dace fishing near London is to be obtained in the tidal waters of the Dace. Thames, where these fish abound. There, they are usually caught from punts, and it has become a common practice of late years to stir up the bottom behind the punt with a gudgeon rake. This proceeding disturbs various water- insects and slightly colours the water, and the fish, heading up stream towards the source of the discolouration, come upon the angler's tackle and are caught. Very large dace are often taken by the barbel-fisher, and are in fact regarded by him as a great nuisance, ^^"hen it is found that there are continual bites which are being missed, and that the lobworm is being bruised about the head, the presence of dace may be at once suspected, and the way to clear the swim of a few is to bait with the head of the lobworm alone. Though dace are mainly a fish of the shallows, the larger members of the family are frequently caught in deep waters where their presence would not be suspected. The Chub {Leuciscus cephalus) is another fly- taking fish, and though almost worthless as food and treated to words of opprobrium in many a trout stream, is beloved of Thames and other anglers for the fine sport he affords. Like many other fishes, he seeks the shallows at the commencement of the season after spawning, but soon retires to holes beneath overhanging willow trees, where any one peering cautiously over the bows of the boat or punt on some bright 26 THE ENCYCLOP.^DIA OF SPORT [angling sunny day may see a shoal swimming in and out the maze of roots which project into the water. There they he the summer through, feeding on beetles and caterpillars and other insects which fall into the water from the over- hanging branches. In much-navigated rivers, the fly cannot be used with great success except in early morning, because as soon as the first launch or boat has passed, the fish which are basking near the surface sink to a depth at which they disregard artificial flies. Still, there are many retired shallows and places in which chub may be found until the end of August, and there the fly-fisher still has his opportunity. In fly-fishing from a boat, success depends as much upon the boatman as on the fly-fisher, the slightest roll of the craft or splash of the oars scaring the fish. The chub indeed is above all famous for his extreme distru:;t of man. If unaware of the angler's presence, he will take a bait presented to him on tackle of astonishing coarseness, but if he once obtains an inkling that his dread enemy is in the vicinity, no bait, however tasty, presented on the finest of tackle will tempt him. This, of course, as a general rule. In addition to the flies, which should be large and dressed rather full and heavily hackled, small frogs, lobworms, a bunch of gentles, a piece of beef fat, crayfish-tails, and the large black slugs which come out at night after a showery day, are all placed before this fish by means of a flv-rod. In deep holes, many a good chub is caught by means of leger-tackle, the bait being greaves or cheese, but perhaps the most general and successful method of angling for these fish is with Nottingham tackle. A large quill float, fairly heavily shotted, is sent by the side of the bank down stream right among a shoal of chub which, owing to the distance between them and the angler, are without suspicion. One of the most favoured summer baits is cheese-paste, while in the winter there is nothing to equal a piece of marrow or pith, previously scalded, from the spine of a bullock. The brains, which have also been scalded, are thrown in as ground-bait. The best line for this particular method of fishing is made of pure undressed silk, either twisted or plaited. The rod should be rather long and powerful to hold the fish from out those roots towards which he is certain to swim when hooked, and the whole proceeding must be conducted with the greatest care and caution. Not many chub are often caught from one spot, and the angler who tries place after place will catch many more than he who sits quietly waiting for the fish to come on the feed. The Bream {Abramis bramd) is a flat-sided, deep-bellied, hog-backed fish, which abounds in many Midland and East Anglian waters, and is also found in the Thames. Generally speaking, it is a night-feeder, and enormous numbers are caught be- tween the hours of two or three, and five o'clock in the morning during the months of July and August. In the Thames, a few are caught in barbel swims, and these appear to feed during the day. They are taken with the leger, but in the slow-flowing rivers of the Fen country the favoiuite tackle consists of a rod somewhat akin to a hop-pole, a piece of twine, a float such as a Thames angler would use for jack, and what is commonly known as a "penny hook." The penny hook is tied immediately to the twine, and above the knot is a strip of lead, probably cut off the nearest gutter. M'ith this very primi- tive tackle as many fish seem to be caught as with the finer gear used by the Thames anglers. But it is to be remembered that the rivers of the Midlands are more highly coloured than the Thames and Lea, and, as we have said, the fishing is carried out in the early morning when the light is not very good, cir- cumstances under which fine tackle is not par- ticularly called for. The float, too, is so arranged that at least a foot of the line lies on the bottom, and thus is but little observed. Even the worm may be more or less covered with mud, and has to ^^ Eke.\m. be routed up by the snouts of the fish. As a rule, bream-swims are heavily ground-baited, a favourite bait for this purpose being brewers' grains. The hook bait is usually a worm, but the fish will also take gentles, paste, and creed wheat. So little do bream feed in the daytime on Midland rivers, that in some of them an angler might fish day by day for a year without dis- ANGLING THE ENCYCLOP-^^.DIA OF SPORT 27 covering that there was a bream in the river. The bream to which we are alhiding are the large, bronzy fellows which grow to a consider- able weight ; but in the Norfolk broads and other waters there is a smaller fish of the same family called the Bream-flat {Abramis blicca), which is caught in immense numbers and rarely attains a considerable weight. We have taken these fish on paternoster, leger, and other tackle, and when well on the feed there appears to be no limit to the numbers which may be lifted into the boat. The essentials of bream fishing, in short, are to fish at an exceedingly early hour in the morn- ing, in fact before daybreak, to moor the punt in a bream-hole, to allow a portion of the line to lie on the bottom, to ground-bait sufficiently some twenty hours previously, and also during the fishing. Of course, the angler should be careful not to disturb the swim. That rule applies to fishing of all kinds. The Perch {Perca fluviatilis), which may be instantly recognised by his striped sides, hog- back, and prickly dorsal fin, is one of the most sport-yielding, and at the same time best table, Perch. fish found in fresh water. AMien large, he is by no means easily caught, but in the days of in- fancy he bites boldly and foolishly, particularly in ponds. Like the roach and some other coarse fish, he is found in the streams in spring and summer, retiring to deeper water in winter, the best time to make a large bag being when the river has been in flood and the water has sunk and cleared a little, and the fish have not yet left the large eddies in which they congregated to avoid the force of the current. If, added to these conditions, there are a few frosty nights to whet their appetites, the captures made are likely to be phenomenal. In summer time, perch are scattered about the river, and the angler who understands how to use the paternoster will take one here and another there from among holes in the weeds, by the side of the camp sheathing, and near any old wreckage or timber work. For large perch, there is no better bait than a live gudgeon, but minnows are more commonly used, perhaps because they are more easily ob- tained. On lakes and ponds, the red worm is very deadly ; and in rivers, when the water is much coloured, there is no bait better than the worm. During a summer flood, if a shallow and not too swift swim is baited up with lobworms, good sport may be expected, and the tail of a lob- worm is great medicine whenever the water is at all thick. When many anglers consider the Thames quite unfishable, owing to the thick water, there are a few who swim the tail of a lobworm round small eddies close to the bank, taking out a perch here and a perch there, and occasionally chub and roach. In lakes, perch sometimes take flies, such as a large red Palmer, and they will dash at small bright spinning baits at any time and in any water. The paternoster, a piece of tackle rarely used for any other freshwater fish except perch, is to be made in the following manner: Take a three-yard length of fine gut and make two loops in it about eighteen inches apart, the lower one being only three inches above the end of the collar. To this lower end attach a pear-shaped lead of about half an ounce or less, the other end being fastened to the running line. Fasten to the large loops in the upright portion of the gut two No. 7 hooks, the gut of which should be shortened to about five inches. The paternoster is then ready and a very much better one than can be pur- chased in the shops. In rivers, this tackle is baited with minnows or gudgeons (these necessi- tate larger hooks) and shot rather than lowered into places where perch are expected. The rod should be held exceedingly steady, and immedi- ately the little tap-tap at the point is felt, which denotes a perch, the point should be lowered for a second or two, then, if it be evident that the fish is feeding, there should be a gentle strike. For a perch of half a pound or upwards it is best to use a landing-net, as these fish have large and delicate mouths from which the hook often comes away in their struggles. In ponds and lakes, the same tackle may be used, substituting worms for minnows, though minnows are preferable if they can be obtained. Where worms are the bait, it is as well to have a good supply and to throw in a few occasionally to keep the perch round about and on the feed. Almost the same float-tackle can be used for perch as for roach, e.xcept that it may be a trifle coarser, and the hook a little larger; but as regards the hook, this should always suit the bait in the matter of size. If there is some place where perch are known to be and the fish are exceedingly shy and difficult to catch, it is a good plan to use the finest possible float-tackle, and to wait patiently till a perch takes it ; and, as we have said, if worms are the bait, a few should be thrown in from time to time. AVe have known 'perch caught on leger-tackle in rivers when they could be taken by no other means, the bait being a gudgeon. The reason probably is that the gut of the leger lies on the ground and is not seen by the fish, whereas with float tackle or 28 THE ENCYCLOP.^iDIA OF SPORT [angling a paternoster, a very visible line comes from the surface of the water to the bottom immediately over their heads. Tench (Tinea vulgaris) maybe easily known by their greenish-bronze colour, small bright red eyes, and minute scales covered with a thick, tenacious mucus. When of small size in ponds, they are easily caught with paste or worms, but when large, whether in rivers or ponds, they are, as a rule, shy to a degree, but bite well enough when the water is thick. In rivers they should be fished for carefully close to the edge of, but not on, a bank of mud from out of which grow water- lilies and other weeds, and if there is an old root or two about so much the better. They may be caught either on float- or leger-tackle or by the method termed "tight-corking," already de- scribed. They feed best in spring and early summer, but are sometimes taken in winter if the weather is mild and the water coloured. One secret of success is to use a small hook, thoroughly well covered with the bait, arid give the fish plenty of time. Congealed blood is used as a bait with much success in some canals and other waters. With it, the strike should come sooner than with worms. Those who would catch large tench should be on the water soon after daybreak. The Carp {Cvprimis carpio) is perhaps the shyest fish that swims. It is usually angled for during the summer, one of the best baits being a parboiled potato placed on a small triangle by means of a baiting needle. Paste sweetened with honey, worms of various kinds, boiled wheat, green peas, wasp-grubs, cheese, &c., are also used with varying success. Carp are mostly caught in the very early morn- ing or late evening. Ground-bait is essential, and it should resemble the hook bait but be coarser in character. In suitable places the leger answers well, as it is less visible to the fish than other tackle. But those anglers who can cast out a float a considerable distance use that form of tackle with much success in lakes. In enclosed waters, it is a good plan to bait up several spots and, after catching a fish from one, to go to another, so as to give the first swim a rest. There are few baits which the Eel {Angiiilla vulgaris) will not take, and few waters in which this valuable food fish is not found. The leger and ordinary float-tackle baited with worms are both much used. There is also a method called bobbing, or clod-fishing, which consists of stringing a number of big worms from end to end on a piece of worsted, looping them up into a lump resembling a small mop- head, and lowering them to the bottom by means of a cord and a short stout stick or bam- boo. The eel's teeth catch in the worsted and the fish can be lifted up and dropped into a pail in the punt. Bobbing is much practised at the mouths of streams during a rise and dis- colouration of water. On hot summer days when eels are lying in holes in banks, sniggling is practised. The sniggler takes a long needle, whips on a piece of fine line to the centre of it and inserts the needle in a worm, just bringing out the point which is stuck into the end of a stick. The needle encased in the worm is then placed in front of the eel's nose, and if it is taken and swallowed the sniggler puts on a gentle but con- tinuous pressure until the eel's strength gives way and he is drawn out with the needle athwart his throat. Eels are also caught in baskets which should be baited with live gudgeon. The best baskets are made of withies. We cannot recommend those constructed of wire. Thousands of eels are taken in fixed traps or weirs, and in eel- nets placed across the rivers of Norfolk and Suffolk. Spearing eels is very good fun. Some- times the method is practised indiscriminately over mudbanks, or if the water is dear, the mud Carp. is prodded only where blow-holes are seen. In spring-time, the spear is used in the feathery green weeds, beloved of pike, which are seen in masses on the bottom of rivers. The Gudgeon {Gobio fluviatilis) is a small, round-bodied, brown-backed fish, which abounds in many rivers and, as a general rule, is very easily caught. Like the barbel, which it somewhat resembles in shape, it is a summer- feeding fish, and is caught close to the bottom. Gudgeon fishing is largely carried on by Thames anglers and is highly favoured by the fair sex, provided some one of sterner mould is at hand to adjust the worm on the hook and remove the resulting fish. For this branch of angling, fine roach tackle anglixg] THE ENCYCLOP.'EDIA OF SPORT 29 is most suitable, but the hook should be very small and baited with a fragment of red worm or brandling. At the slightest depression of the float the angler should strike. Ground-bait is rarely used for gudgeon, the better plan being to disturb the bottom from time to time with a a heavy long-handled rake made for the purpose. It is important to plumb the depth and adjust the float with great accuracy. The bait should float down stream as near the bottom as possible withouttouching it. On the Thames, bags of twenty dozen or more of these fish are sometimes made by two rods in a day. As regards choosing a swim, the fish love a shallow over which the river flows gently, on the edge of a deep hole. As the summer wanes, they gradually get into deeper water. The bottom should be sandy gravel, i.e.^ not too hard. As a table fish, gudgeon are most excellent, and they make first-rate baits for perch, pike, trout, and salmon. There only now remain the small fry which are principally used for bait. 'Q\&a?s.{^Alburnus lucidus), however, rise eagerly to a fly, and are caught without difficulty by means of a single gentle, caddis, or pieceof paste. Theyafford grand sport to the young angler during the summer, and, particularly if toughened in spirits of wine, or other preservative, are first-rate spinning baits if mounted on the Chapman spinner or one of its varieties. The Minnow {Leiiciscus phoxinus), a useful bait, is found in most brooks and rivers, and is best taken by means of a square or round net with fine meshes which is lowered to the bottom. As soon as the minnows swim over, it is rapidly lifted. The Stone Loach {Nemaclieilus barbatula), CoUoch, or Colley bait of Ireland, is also a valu- able bait, particularly for salmon and trout, and is usually caught by turning over the stone under which it lies. A tap with a hammer on the stone will sometimes stun it. The Ruffe (Acerina vulgaris) or Pope is a kind of miniature perch. It is shaped like the perch, but has the colour of a gudgeon. It exudes a nasty slime, and has some poisonous spikes on the corner of its gill covers. It has a vexatious habit of swallowing the bait and hook. The Miller's Thumb {Cottus gobid) is a quaint monstrosity, nearly all head. It is found under stones in the shallows of small brooks. Of the Stickleback ( Gaslerosteus spinulosus), of which there are several varieties, little need be said. From the naturalist's point of view it is highly interesting as to its breeding habits, and urchins may be seen catching them any day by means of a red worm tied to the end of a piece of cotton. The greedy stickleback half swallows the worm and is lifted out before it has timetoleavego. The Lamprey, Burbolt or Eel-Pout the Azurine, the Vendace, the Powan, the Gwyniad, and the Graining are other rare fish, of a kind which do not as a rule afford sport to the angler. (The Flounder, which is found indifferently in fresh and salt water, is dealt with under the head of Sea-Fishing.) John Bickerdyke. Glossarv. Caddis — The larva of certain aquatic insects wliich reside in a self-constructed case or sliell. A deadly bait for roach and some other fish. Cast of Flies — The name given to the length of gut with the flies attached. Coarse Fish — The term applied to all fresh-water fish with the exception oi\\vzSalmonidiv, the latter being termed Game Fish. If the distinction has reference to^ the mode of capture it is unsatisfactory, as the chub and dace at least give much sport with the fly. Collar — The knotted length of gut to which are at- tached the flies. (Called also Cast.) Flights — Combinations of hooks on gimp or gut. See Pike, Trout, &c. Floats — Contrivancesof cork, celluloid, horn, or quill, designed to keep the bait clear of the bottom, as well as to indicate to the angler when to strike. The sliding- float allows the free passage of the line through its rings until stopped by the lead or a rubber-band. The ordinary float lies flat on the water when there is insufficient weight below to keep it erect, but self-cocking floats are weighted with lead at the lower end. Fly-Fishers' Club — A high-class social club for fly- fishers, founded in 1SS4 and having its headquarters at S, Arundel Street. Hon. Sec, D. Wilson. Gaff (otherwise Cleek, or Cogger) — A barbless steel hook, affixed to an ash handle and used in landing large fish. When not in use, the point is generally protected with a brass screw cap. IVIost modern patterns are collapsible. Game Fish — See Coarse Fish. Gimp — A line composed of a silk cord lapped with fine copper or other wire, and much used in the manu- facture of traces and mounted hooks for pike-fishing. Gorge-fishing — Virtually trolling with a dead bait on a double hook. [i'«PlKE.] It is illegal on the Thames. Gut — A semi-transparent substance, manufactured from the silkworm. The insect is plunged in boiling vinegar, and its entrails drawn out. It is used either plain or stained in various tints to suit certain waters ; and is usually sold in hanks of a hundred lengths (called in Ireland " hairs"), or made up in casts. Drawn gut, used in clear-water roach fishing, is drawn through steel plates. J\Iarrana is a fine salmon-gut. ^ The bulk of the supply is derived from Spain. Hooks — Made in a large variety of patterns or, as they are called "bends," the chief being Limerick, Kirby, Round, Sneck, and Sproat. The two principal centres of the manufacture are Redditch and Kendal ; and the makers in numbering their hooks work upon systems diametrically opposed, the Redditch scale being from 17 or 18, the smallest, up to lo/o, the largest ; whereas, the 30 THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT Kendal scale runs vice vers/i, from o/o up to 20. For some fishing, notably live-baiting, two or even three hooks are lashed at the shank, and are known as doubles and trebles. Eyed hooks are those in which the shank ends in a loop, the latter being straight, upturned, or downturncd. Landing-net— A net on telescopic or other handle, used for the same purpose as the gaff, but in landing smaller fish. On salmon rivers where the gaff is pro- hibited, the fish are secured by landing-nets of the largest and strongest pattern. Leger-Tackle— A tackle that takes its name from the lead, which is either coffin-shaped or a bullet : in either case pierced so that the line passes freely in the direction of the hook, its movement back towards the angler being checked finally by a split shot, which is too large to pass through the lead. Two derivations, each having reference to the fact that the whole weight of the lead rests on the ground, have been suggested, the one from the French leger,\.\ift other from the German lic'^en (to lie). Priest— An implement used to give the fish its quietus. [angling Its first rusli on feeling the restraint of the hook being phenomenal, and constituting a special difficulty in its capture. It does not take the bait, as a salmon or trout ordinarily does, leisurely rising and leisurely returning to its place, but with a sudden blow which takes the angler by surprise, and which will even jerk the salmon-rod out of his hands, if he is unprepared. And this blow is instantly followed by a violent rush to which the run of a salmon can bear no comparison. The rapidity of this rush is ac- counted for by measurements of the tail and fins as compared with the rest of the body of the fish, which show that the superficial areas of the propelling and directing powers amount together to as much as the superficial area of the whole of the rest of the Mahseer's X' -4 V Mahseer. Rank Hook — A hook of which the barb projects unusually. Snap Tackle — A treble or double hook pike-tackle, in using which the angler strikes as soon as the bait is seized. \See Pike.] Swim — The term used for the length of water to which the angler's operations are for the time being con- fined, and over which, in bottom-fishing, his float is allowed to travel at each cast. Trace — A length of gimp or other material to which are attached the lead and spring bait. AMERICAN ANGLING— [fe Black Bass, Ouananiche, Tarpon, &c.] INDIAN ANGLING — Mahseer — The Mahseer [Barbus tor) the largest of the Carp family {Cypriru'da), commonly running to fifty pounds in weight, and attaining as much as one hundred and fifty pounds, has its habitat only in large, rocky, mountain rivers. In such rivers, it is distributed throughout the continent of India, extending into Afghanistan, Chitral, Lurmah, and China, and seemingly Japan also. It is the most sporting fish in the East, the violence of body. The sudden jerk and violent rush make it necessary to fish for it with a thoroughly pliable salmon-rod, that will yield to the first rush more rapidly than it is possible for the angler's hand to do, to yield indeed before the effect of the blow has even reached the angler's hand, and so to allow the line to run out, but for which the strongest tackle that can be well used with a rod must be broken. The tackle too must be good and strong, and the running line, the same as for salmon, should be one hundred and fifty yards long. Other ru.shes also the Mahseer will make before he yields, but none such as his first for suddenness and rapidity. Another peculiarity of the Mahseer is that, differing herein from most predatory fish, it has no teeth at all in its soft, leathery mouth. In lieu thereof, it is furnished with great muscular power of jaw, by means of which it can exercise such a violent power of compression, that its prey is stunned and squeezed lifeless at the moment of capture. This is noticeable in a fishin2 spoon, the size and thickness of an anglixg] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 31 ordinary dessert spoon, being crumpled up by it lii/opterus chilahi), which favours the larger ri\ers of Northern India, Burmah, and Siam, attains four feet in length. Silver sided, very flat and deep, it feeds on the bottom, but swims horizontally, and is a very game fish to the angler, leaping four feet into the air again and again on being hooked, and otherwise showing great activity. It has a very small head and mouth, the bait therefore must be small, and there is none better than its natural food the small mullet {Mugil cascasia), three and a half inches long, mounted on small trebles, and spun very slowly close to the bottom, where it may be allowed to rest from time to time. The bite of this large fish, which runs to eighty pounds, and is very commonly taken at twelve or sixteen pounds, is a very small nibble, which it needs a light hand to feel, and which must be answered immediately. It has . a smaller congener in Southern India, Notopterus kapirat, which does not run over two pounds, and may be taken in the same way, or with prawn or worm. Freshwater Sharks — Indian rivers supply many of these Siluroids, of which it will suffice to mention Bagarius yarrellii, Silundia gan- getica, IVallago athi, which have no English synonyms, except that of Freshwater Sharks, and each of which attains six feet in length, and two other Macfones\\\\\<:)A run to much the same size. They feed mostly at the bottom, using their feelers as much as their eyes, and should be fished for with a live bait of about half a pound on a line weighted to the bottom, the hooks being such as would be used in England for Pike, mounted on stout gimp or wire, as these fish have very formidable teeth, and a grip so strong that it is very difficult to loosen when once they have closed on an object. For land- ing them, a gaff-hook is necessary. Though they offer strong resistance, taking out line with no denial, they display no great activity, and therein sink, as a game fish, to the low level of the Pike, though as regards size and teeth, they compare with him much as a tiger might with a cat. Space will not allow of the mention of the numerous species of lesser Siluroids with which the waters of the East abound. Baril — There are several species of Barilius, running about the size of a hungry beck-trout, which are keen takers of a small trout fly, as many as seven dozen having been taken in a forenoon, but one of the genus Baril {Barilius hold) is said to attain five pounds in weight, but ordinarily runs to one and a half pounds, and swimming in shoals, as many as three have, on occasion, been taken at one cast on a collar of three flies the size of a loch-trout fly. Though not of the Salmonidx they bear such a strong resemblance to a Trout, that they are com- monly called the Indian Trout, and are held I -A. 1 I antelopes] THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF SPORT 33 in very high esteem by the angler as a sporting fish. Chilwa — The Chilwa {Aspidoparia morar), misnamed by science Chela, may be called the Indian Bleak. So small a fish (six inches) would not be mentioned, but for its extraordinary num- bers and the rapidity with which it may be taken with a small fly, which make it very popular with some ; forty, fifty, and even sixty having been taken in an hour by one rod with two flies up. Ba-min and Begtie — These are sea fish entering estuaries, to be taken similarly, spinning as for Salmon, but with hooks mounted on gimp or wire. The Bimin {Polyneiiiiis tetradactylus) attains six feet in length, and commonly runs from ten to twenty pounds, and is celebrated for the amount of tackle it breaks, on account of its ex- traordinary activity and strength. The Begtie {Lates cakarifer) runs over thirty pounds, and is much esteemed for food. It is known to Europeans as the Cock-up. Megalops— J/f^fa/f?/.? cyprinoides is estuarial, but accommodates itself to freshwater in ponds, runs to a cubit in length, and may be taken with a white loch-fly or a trout-spoon. It is active. Marral — The Marral (Ophiocephalus maru- Hus) attains four feet; four other species of the same genus attain three feet. They are found in the still pools in rivers, and in ponds, are similar to t^ie Pike in their habits, but are best taken at the surface with a live frog. Hilsa — The Hilsa ( Cliipea ilishd) is far famed for its specially excellent flavour, and is said to take a white fly. But to treat of these, and Mangoe fish, and Mullets numerous, and Eels of sorts, and Gudgeon attaining a cubit in length and three pounds in weight, space will not allow. H. S. Thomas. ANTELOPES (Characters and Dis- tribution of) — The term "Antelope" is so familiar to all, that it may be a matter of sur- prise to many to learn it is one totally incapable of definition. Nevertheless, this affords no reason for the rejection of the name, which, in its widest sense, is the most convenient collective title for a large and important group of Hollow-horned Ruminants coming under the designation neither of Oxen, Sheep, nor Goats. By zoo- logists, the Hollow-horned Ruminants, or Bovidm, are divided into a number of sectional groups, or sub-families, one of which includes the Oxen, and a second the Sheep and Goats, while the others contain among them the various Antelopes and certain forms serving to connect the latter with the Goats. It is thus evident that the term " Antelope " has not the same zoological significance as Oxen, but comprises a number of more or less distinct groups ranking in the same grade as the latter. Some of thegroups of Antelopes are, indeed, closely related to the Oxen — with which they are connected by means of the Anoa of Celebes — while others exhibit an equally intimate relationship with the Goats and Sheep. In its widest acceptation, the term Antelope may, as already said, be taken to include all the members of the Bovidm which are neither Oxen, Sheep, nor Goats. There is, however, an intermediate group connecting the more typical Antelopes with the Goats, and hence termed the Goat-like Antelopes. These are all moun- tain-dwelling forms, and include the Gorals {Ceinas) and Serows {Nemorhxdus) of Eastern Asia, the Himalayan Takin {Budorcas), the so- called Rocky Mountain Goat (Haploceros) of North America, and the European Chamois {Rupicapra) ; — the latter being the most Ante- lope-like of all. Eliminating these transitional forms — which constitute a sub-family {Rupi- caprinm) by themselves, ranking with the Oxen {Boviiice) and Sheep and Goats ( Caprma) — it is somewhat less difficult to give an approximate definition of Antelopes in a popular sense. True Antelopes, then, are Hollow-horned Ruminants, generally of more or less light and elegant build, and carrying the head raised considerably above the line of the back. Their horns — which may be present either in one or both sexes — differ greatly in relative size, but are quite different from those of either the Oxen or Sheep. As a rule they are more or less cylindrical, while they are frequently somewhat lyre-shaped, and are often ringed for a longer or shorter distance above the base. In most cases their direction is more or less upright ; and in certain instances they are spirally twisted. A very general, although by no means universal, feature of Antelopes, is the presence of a gland beneath the eye ; such glands being wanting in the Oxen and Goats, although present in most of the Sheep. More important is the circumstance that the bony cores supporting the horns of the Antelopes are nearly always solid throughout, whereas those of the other three groups are extensively hollowed internally. An important distinction between the Oxen {Bovina) on the one hand and the Sheep and Goats {Caprince) on the other is to be found in the structure of the upper molar teeth ; those of the former being nearly square in section, whereas those of the latter are oblong. Among the Antelopes, both these types are to be met with, the Gemsbok and Sable Antelope group having Ox-like molars, whereas those of the Gazelles, Harte- beests, and Gnus are of the Goat-like form. Moreover, certain Antelopes, such as Eland and Koodoo, have a third type of molar structure ; the crowns of these teeth being short — instead of tall — and thus resembling those of some of the Deer. These differences alone are sufficient to show that Antelopes in no sense form a single zoological group, but that they comprise a number of distinct groups which for many purposes it is convenient to brigade together D 34 THE ENCYCLOP.'EDIA OF SPORT [antelopes under a common designation. Consequently it will be manifest that no further attempt at a definition of the assemblage can be made. Exclusive of the Goat-like group, these animals may be divided into the following seven sections, or sub-families, viz: — (i) Bubalina, Hartebeests and Gnus ; (2) Cep/ialophitics, Duikers and Four-horned Antelope ; (3) Neotragince, Dik-diks, Steinboks, Grysbok, &c. ; (4) Cervicapri7i(E, Rhebok, Waterbuck, Rietbok, &c. ; (s) Antilopina, Pallas, Saiga, Chiru, Gazelles, &c. ; (6) Hippotragince, Sable Antelope Oryx, Addax, and their allies; (7) TragelaphincB, Nilgai, Harnessed Antelopes, Koodoo, and Eland. The whole of the numerous Antelopes com- prised in these seven groups are exclusively confined to the Old World, while the great majority are restricted to Africa south of the northern tropic, or at least to Africa with Syria and Arabia. The first section, for instance, has no representatives beyond the countries named, and it is indeed only one species of Hartebeest that is even found beyond Africa, the Gnus being restricted to those portions of that con- tinent lying south of the northern tropic. In the second section, the Four-horned Antelope is Indian, whereas all the numerous species of Duikers {Cep/ia/ophiis) are restricted to Africa south of the Sahara. The members of the third section — all of which are small-sized creatures — - are absolutely confined to the area last named ; and none of the fourth section {CervicaprincB) extend their range beyond the same limits. Skipping section (5), it will be found that most of the members of the Hippotragince inhabit Ethiopian Africa (as that part of the continent lying to the south of the northern tropic is called), although the Addax is found in Northern Africa and Arabia, and the Beatrix Antelope ( Oryx beatrix) inhabits the latter country, and is said, indeed, to range as far as Bushire. Both the groups enjoying this wider range are desert- haunting forms. In the si.xth section, the Nilgai {Boselaphtis) alone is Indian, all the other forms being Ethiopian. Reverting to the fifth section, or Antilopina, we find this the most widely spread of all ; most of its repre- sentatives being inhabitants of more or less desert districts. Indeed, the only exclusively Ethiopian genus in this group is the one con- taining the Pallas {^pyceros). Of the others, the one species of Saiga is confined to the steppes of Central Asia, the Chiru, which alone represents Patitholops, inhabits the highlands of Tibet, while the Blackbuck, forming the sole member of the now restricted genus Antilope, has its home on the plains of India. Of the Gazelles, the typical genus Gazella has the widest distribution of all the Antelopes, ranging from South Africa (where it is represented by the Springbok) through the eastern and northern districts of the same continent, to Syria, Arabia, Asia Minor, Persia, Baluchistan, northern India, Afghanistan, and Mongolia. Probably this wide distribution is to be accounted for by the desert- frequenting habits of most Gazelles, which has enabled them to traverse districts impassable to the majority of their kindred. The more aberrant Gazelles, such as the Gerenuk {Lithocranius), Clarke's Antelope (Ammodorcas), and the smaller Beira {Dorcatragus), are, however, ex- clusively confined to Eastern Ethiopia. It will thus be apparent that by far the great majority of Antelopes are Ethiopian (including in this designation part of Arabia), and indeed, with the exception of the Gazelles the only true Antelopes found elsewhere than Africa, Syria, and Arabia, are the Indian Four-horned Ante lope, Blackbuck, and Nilgai, the Tartarian Saiga, and the Thibetan Chiru. Most noteworthy is J the circumstance that no true Antelopes are j to be found in the countries lying to the east- ward of the Bay of Bengal ; although Goat-like Antelopes of the genera Cemas and Nemorhcedus range into Burma, China, Japan, &c. Ethiopian Africa thus being pre-eminently the headquarters of the true Antelopes, it is curious to find that at no very distant epoch of the earth's history many extinct species closely allied to modern African types inhabited India, Persia, Greece, and Hungary. Hence it is evident that there has been a great southern migration of the Antelopes ; while it is probable that the entrance of the group into Africa is a comparatively recent event. Possibly the original northern forms may have been suited only to a comparatively dry climate, which would account for their never having been able to effect an entrance into the Malayan countries ; but it is extremely difficult to discover any adequate reason for the extinction in India of nearly all its original inhabitants belonging to this group. Be this as it may, it is evident that when the original migrants from the north (which were probably comparatively few in species) succeeded in establishing themselves in Ethiopian Africa, they found a country so eminently suited to their requirements, that they increased, alike in number and in the development of generic and specific types, in a manner unparalleled in any other part of the world. Although it is quite probable that Antelopes were originally inhabi- tants of open and comparatively dry districts, their Ethiopian descendants have developed the capacity of adapting themselves to stations of every kind. Whereas the Gemsbok and other members of the genus Oryx, together with the Gazelles, and many of the Hartebeests, are still inhabitants of open and more or less desert dis- tricts, the Waterbuck, Lechive, and other species of Cobiis, as well as the Sitatunga and others of the Harnessed Antelopes {Tragelaphus), delight to dwell among the reeds fringing the banks of ri\ers and swamps, or even to stand neck- antelopes] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 35 deep in the water of lakes. Some members of the latter group inhabit the steaming tropical forests of the Congo valley, and in Senegambia it seems not improbable that the Derbian Eland is a forest animal. Not only are the plains tenanted by their special denizens, but the mountains have been invaded by forms like the Klipspringer and Rhebok, which rival, or excel, the Chamois in their jumping powers. Structural peculiarities have accompanied their adaptations, the Klipspringer having its hoofs short and rounded like those of a Goat, whereas those of the Sitatunga are enormously elongated. As regards food, too. Antelopes seem capable of great adaptations ; since whereas most kinds live on grass, a Steinbok inhabiting two small islands near Zanzibar lives entirely on leaves and twigs. At the present day, Africa is undoubtedly the paradise of Antelopes, but it is very doubtful if this would ever have been the case had Deer succeeded in penetrating south of the Sahara. Why Antelopes reached Ethiopia, while Deer were kept out, we shall probably never know. R. Lydekker. ANTELOPE SHOOTING. Europe and Asia — Antelope shooting in various forms is to be obtained in many parts of the world, but it may be said with truth that the natural home of this family lies in Africa, and especi- ally in South Africa. Here, magnificent sport is still to be had with antelopes ranging in size from the Eland, whose stature exceeds that of a stall ox, down to the tiny Blue Buck, which is scarcely larger than a good hare. In Europe, the chase of the Chamois, which is stalked or driven among the difficult mountains of the Alps, is well known. In the Caucasus and Mongolia, the wary Djeran {Gazella giitturosd) is occasionally stalked, but more often coursed with greyhounds upon the great steppes. The curious Saiga {Saiga tar- tarica), with its hideous swollen-looking nose, is a denizen of South Russia and the Central Asian steppes ; it is nowhere abundant and has seldom fallen to the rifles of English sportsmen. The Thibetan antelope {Pantholops hodgsoni) is another rare species, hitherto seldom obtained by Europeans, found among hills and valleys beyond the northern frontiers of India and in Turkestan. It carries handsome horns, strongly annulated ; the best measurement hitherto obtained is 27!- inches. In India itself, the well known Blackbuck {Aiitilope cervicaprd), whose characteristic horns are perhaps more familiar than those of any of the smaller antelopes in European collections, is to be found, often in large numbers, in suitable localities from the north to the south of the country', on wide, open plains or in grassy places near the banks of rivers. Among English sportsmen it is almost invariably pursued by stalking, and affords excellent sport. The natives hunt it occasionally with the Cheetah, and at other times stalk it by aid of trained bullocks or with a bullock cart. The average weight of a Blackbuck is about 85 lbs. ; the longest horn measurement hitherto recorded 28J inches — straight measurement. The Nilgai {Boselaphus tragocameliis), which is now usually included among the tragelaphine groups of antelopes, is a large and somewhat odd- looking beast, found in level country varied by bush and light jungle, in many parts of India. As beasts of chase Nilgai are not looked upon with much favour; they can be pretty easily shot, and natives in many localities have a strong prejudice against their being destroyed. A good blue-bull, as the male of the Nilgai is called, stands from 4 feet 4 inches to 4 feet 6 inches at the shoulder. The horns are short Blackbuck. Ht. at shoulder^ 32 in. Av. hor. ttteas. 22 i«. Alajc. horn tneas. 40^ in. and ox-like, and the best recorded measurement is <)\ inches. The Four-horned Antelope, or Charsingha {Tetraceros quadncornis), is found sparingly in many parts of India in bush, jungle, and grassy covert. It is a small antelope, and lies very close in covert, and is more often than not snapped with the shot gun, as are the smaller bush-loving antelopes of Africa. The Indian Gazelle, commonly known as the Ravine deer {Gazella bennetti), is found in ravines and among rocky hills and scrub in many parts of India, Beluchistan and Southern Persia. It carries nice horns measuring from lo to 14 inches in length and, although sly and wary, can be stalked successfully by the careful gunner. Camels and shooting-horses are occasionally em- ployed to aid the sportsman in his operations with this antelope. \_See Chick.\r.^.] The Thibetan Ravine deer {Gazella picticaudata), found in Mongolia and Western Thibet, is an animal D 2 36 THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT ANTELOPES Strongly resembling the last-named species, and of much the same habits. Among Indian antelopes, one can scarcely pass over the mountain-loving Goral, or Hima- layan Chamois {Akmoi-iuvdus goral), and the ^^U*tV Ravine Deer. Ht. at shoulder, 26 in. Av. horn iiieas. 9 in. Max. horn vteas. \a\ in. Himalayan Serow {Nemorhadus buba/tm/s), goat-like antelopes, which afford excellent mountain stalking. Closely allied to the last- named is the Serow of Sumatra {N. sumatrensis), found, as its name implies, among the hills of Sumatra, as well as on the mainland. Gazelle Stalking — The true desert-loving gazelles, which include many species, enjoy a wide range from Persia and Central Asia to Arabia and North Africa. Chief among these may be named the Dorcas, Atlas, Arabian, Persian, Isabella, and Soemmering's gazelles ; Gazella da?na, G. mbifrons, and the Addra gazelle. The Somali lowland gazelle {G. spekei) is remarkable for a curious bulging skin formation upon the nose, which easily dis- tinguishes it. The Somali Plateau gazelle bears a strong resemblance to the last-named, but lacks the nasal peculiarity. Grant's gazelle, carrying very beautiful horns extending to 30 inches in length; Clarke's gazelle, remark- able for its long, slender, giraffe-like neck ; and Thomson's and Waller's gazelles are all ver)' handsome forms discovered in East and North- East Africa within recent years. All these gazelles are only to be stalked and secured at somewhat long ranges by accurate rifle-shooting. Some of them, in countries where they have been much shot at, are almost unapproachable. Occasionally patches of bush or isolated thorn trees may be made use of in approaching these wary plain-dwellers, but it must be admitted that, as a rule, stalking gazelles upon open flats, under a burning sun, is extremely trying work for the sportsman. By the aid of natives, it is some- times possible to conduct driving operations, and to push the game within shot of the gunner lying concealed ; and occasionally the old South African Bushman plan is resorted to, and, arrayed as an ostrich, the European sportsman is enabled to get right among troops of gazelle and other game and shoot what he requires. This last is an exceedingly deadly method, but the gunner has first to obtain a complete skin, head, and neck of an ostrich, and great care has to be exercised in approaching in a natural and ostrich-like manner and in taking advantage of the wind, which, if blowing from the direction of the stalker, would at once betray him. For gazelle shooting a '450 or •303 rifle is the best weapon that can be employed, and as few shots are obtained at less than 200 yards, it is a matter of vital importance that the sighting be adjusted with extreme care and accuracy. South African Shooting — In South Africa, where during immemorial ages vast numbers of antelopes of many and remark- able species must have wandered and fed in undisturbed possession, much of the game has, as in other parts of the world, been shot off. Yet much still remains. South of the Zambesi, some thirty species of antelope are still to be found ; many of them near the southern littoral, others in far, remote places where they are diffi- cult of access. The Eland, the largest ante- lope in the world [see El.\xd], is now somewhat scarce in South Africa. The Sable and Roan antelopes {HIppoiragiis niger and H. equimis), two of the most magnificent forms in the African Continent, are to be met with in North Mata- beleland, Mashonaland, and thence to the East Coast, sparingly in Khama's country, and thence northward beyond the Zambesi. One of the great advantages of hunting in South Africa — although it is, too, answerable for much of the rapid disappearance of the fauna — is the fact that horses can be always, or nearly always, cm- ployed (except towards the East Coast, where the Tse-Tse fly abounds), in pursuing the larger antelopes and heavy game. A "450 or -500 rifle, or the old sporting Martini- Henry — still one of the most useful of all weapons — is usually employed in shooting the larger South African antelopes. Of late the -303 has been used, and although differences of opinion have arisen as to its merits, Mr. F. C. Selous and other well-known hunters speak of its results in terms of satisfaction. The sable and roan ante- lopes are usually found in semi-bushy country, or among the lower slopes of hills and kopjes. Sables run in troops of from a dozen to fifty ; Roan antelopes in small bands of from six to fourteen. Both of these great antelopes are possessed of considerable speed and staying I antelopes] THE ENCYCLOP/EDIA OF SPORT 37 power, although they can occasionally be run down on horseback. The magnificent horns of the Sable antelope, scimitar-shaped and strongly annulated, form one of the greatest prizes of the hunter in South Africa. The Roan antelope has horns of a somewhat similar character, but shorter and thicker in growth. It ought to be remembered in approaching wounded indi- viduals of these antelopes, that both are ex- tremely savage, and, unless completely disabled, will charge desperately. Many a good dog has been killed by the deadly sweep of a Sable or Roan antelope's horns. A good Sable antelope bull will stand 4 ft. 6 in. at the withers and carry horns measuring 45 in. over the cur\^e. A Roan antelope averages two or three inches more in height, but bears horns which lack the magnifi- cent sweep of the Sable's and seldom exceed 32 inches over the cur\-e. It should be borne in mind in shooting antelopes, and especially the larger African ;-.? Sable Antelope. Ht. at shoulder, 54 in. Az'. horn meas. (malr), 40 in. il/ojr. horn tneas. 46 in. antelopes, that they are possessed of immense vitality, and will often run clean away from the hunter after having received wounds that to the casual observer would inevitably signify immediate collapse. Even with a bullet through the heart or lungs, an antelope will succeed sometimes in making good its escape. The writer has spoored for miles a blue wildebeest bull, which had been shot clean through the lung with a Martini-Henry bullet, and then had to abandon the pursuit to a Bushman tracker. As few Europeans, unless they have spent many years in the pursuit of great game, are equal to the science of spooring, it is necessary to have at hand a native or two, preferably Bushmen if they can be obtained, who will find and track game and will take up the spoor of animals when wounded. Many a good head of game has been lost for want of a native spoorer. The Koodoo, one of the biggest and noblest of the African Antelopes, is noticed elsewhere [see Koodoo], as are the Gemsbuck [see Oryx] and the black and blue Wildebeest [see Gnu]. The Hartebeest is one of the most characteristic of the Ethiopian group of Antelopes, and is represented in South Africa by the Cape hartebeest {Bubalis caania) and Lichtenstein's hartebeest {B. lichtensteini). In East and North-East Africa are to be found Jackson's hartebeest {B. jacksoni), the Tora hartebeest {B. tora), Swayne's hartebeest {B. swaynei), Cooke's hartebeest {B. cookei), and the Senegal and Koba hartebeests {B. senegalensis and B. koba), which two last are found indiffer- ently in East and West Africa. Besides these forms we have the West African hartebeest {B. major) which is only met with in 'West Africa. All these hartebeests have a strong family re- semblance, although there are slight differences in colour, habits, and the shape of the horns. They are all characterised by speed, staying powers, and vitality, so that even when severely wounded they will not unfrequently make good their escape. It is useless attempting to run down a hartebeest, or its near cousin the Tsesseby, in tail-on-end chase. Such an attempt is sufficient to break the heart of the stoutest horse, and, indeed, the writer has seen a good African shooting pony which succumbed from nothing but the effects of a desperate gallop after hartebeest. The Cape hartebeest — often called by the Boers the Rooi (or red) hartebeest — stands about 4 feet at the withers, and has, like most of its kin, very drooping quarters. Its colour is of a reddish-brown, darker upon the back, shoulders, and fore legs. The face is black and extremely long, giving the animal a quaint, old-fashioned expression, while the rugged horns are perched upon an extremely high frontal bone. It is still common in Bechuana- land, the Kalahari, Great Namaqualand, and about the Botletli River, in Ngamiland. It runs in good sized troops, varying from twelve or fifteen to fifty and occasionally even more. It is found indifferently in open, park-like forest country, or upon grassy plains. These animals, although shy and suspicious, are yet occasionally very stupid. They have a habit of wheehng round and halting in the middle of a run and the mounted hunter can thus often dismount and obtain a fair shot. They are obstinate, too, in sticking to a particular line of flight, and the writer has more than once cut a troop in half in this way and secured an easy shot. They can be turned from their course, as can other South African antelopes, by firing a bullet or two over their heads so as to strike the ground in front of them ; and if the leader of the troop can be wounded and turned out, the rest will often become bewildered and afford easy shooting. If it were not for these 38 THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT ANTELOPES weak points, the hartebeest would be one of the most difficult of all animals to bring to bag. As it is, it is by no means one of the easiest. Lichtenstein's hartebeest is found in Mashona- land, Gazaland, Portuguese South-East Africa, and thence northward into East Africa. Its habits are very similar to those of Buhalis caaina. The Tsesseby {Bubalis lunatiis) is a hand- some antelope, averaging in height close on four feet, nearly related to the hartebeest and greatly resembling that antelope in appearance and colouring. The horns, which are crescent shaped, differ, however, a good deal from those of the Cape hartebeest. At the present day the Tsesseby is most plentiful in Mashonaland, Nganiland, and in South-East Africa between the Pungwe and Jambesi rivers. It is the swiftest and most enduring of all antelopes, which is saying a good deal ; yet, thanks to the characteristics which have been pointed out in the case of its near congener the hartebeest, it is often brought to bag. Hunters' Antelope {Bubah's hunteri) is a species lately discovered in East Africa, also related to the hartebeest. The horns are, however, much more prolonged and extend in length to 2b\ inches. Up to the present this antelope has been chiefly found on the Tana River in East Africa. An extremely interesting group of animals to the sportsman are the water-loving antelopes, which include the Lech we {Cobus kche), the Pookoo (C. vardoni), the Sitatunga, or Speke's antelope {Tragehiphus spekei), the Inyala {T. angasi), the Reedbuck {Cervicapra arundineum), Penrice's Waterbuck {Cobus waterbuck, while the White-eared Waterbuck (C kucotis) and another form Cobus kob are smaller antelopes found in Central and East Waterbuck. Ht. at shoulder, 4S in. Av. horn vteas. 20 in. Alax. horn vteas. 33J in. pe7iricei), and the True 'Waterbuck (C ellipsiprymnus), all of which are found in South or South Central Africa. The Sing-Sing (C. defassus) is an East African form of the large ^■ ^T^\ TollAujdU ^ -^ Pallaii. ///. at shoulder, 36 in. Av. horn ttieas. 20 in. Max. horn tneas. 27^ in. Africa. Of these animals, the True Waterbuck, the Lechwe, the Reedbuck, and the Sing-sing are best known to hunters. The Pookoo is scarce and restricted as to habitat, while the Sitatunga, although flourishing in large numbers in the swamps and reedbeds of the river systems of the interior, is extremely difficult of approach and seldom falls to the rifle. In South Africa, the Waterbuck, the Lechwe, and the Reedbuck all afford excellent rifle-shooting on the river systems beyond the Vaal. Penrice's Waterbuck, a new species, has only lately been discovered by Mr. G. Penrice in the country behind Ben- guella, Portuguese West Africa. It is a hand- some antelope, differing only slightly from the Sing-Sing and the South African Waterbuck. The Inyala, a form between the Bushbuck and the Koodoo, frequents the rivers and swamps of South-East Africa, and is e.xtremely local. It may still be found in the neighbourhood of Delagoa Bay, and is well worthy of the hunter's labours. The Pallah, or Impala {^pyceros me- lampus), is an extremely elegant antelope, bear- ing peculiarly characteristic horns, which differ from most other species ; and it is to be met with in considerable troops from the Limpopo River northwards into East Africa, in bushy and forest country, upon the borders of such of the river systems as are not surrounded by swamps. antelopes] THE ENCVCLOP.EDIA OF SPORT 39 Where it has not been much disturbed, the beautilul Pallah roams in large numbers, as many as eighty or a hundred in a troop. Thanks to the nature of its habitat, where covert is abundant, it is not a difficult antelope to shoot. In height the Pallah stands slightly under three feet, while representative horns range from twenty to twenty-seven inches over the curve. Three small . antelopes which give very ex- cellent mountain shooting in South Africa are the Klipspringer {Orcotmgiis salfator), the Vaal, or Grey, Rhebok {Pelca capreola), and the Red Rhebok {Cervicapra lala?idi). These antelopes frequent many of the mountain ranges of South Africa, and afford admirable shooting with the rifle. The Klipspringer is found as far north as Abyssinia. It is a very charming and astonishingly active little mountaineer, and well deserves its title, " Chamois of Africa." The well-known Springbuck ( Gazclla euchore) is happily still abundant in many parts of South .\frica, from the Karroos of Cape Colony to Ngamiland, and even Benguella on the West Coast. This fleet, active, and characteristic antelope affords some of the best stalking in South Africa. It can be driven by approaching in line downwind, when it invariably takes up- wind and can be cut off by gunners mounted or in carts ; or it can be quietly approached by slowly walking a horse until within four hundred yards and then dismounting and sidling in for a shot. Very accurate shooting is, however, re- quired for the springbuck, which is seldom bagged nowadays at less than three hundred yards range. The Blesbokand Bontebok {Damalis albifrons and D. pygargus) are two very hand- some and remarkable antelopes, which formerly thronged the plains of South Africa, but are now only to be found preserved on a few farms. As game animals they may be considered, unfortu- nately, almost extinct. The Bushbucks {Tmgelaphus), Steinbuck {Nanotragus campestris), Oribi {N. scoparia), Gvys.'bnc'k {N. /nelanotis),'D\i\ke.T {Cepha/ophus grimmi). Natal Redbuck (C nataknsis), and Bluebuck (C monticola) are small antelopes, which in many parts of Africa are to be obtained, principally amid bush and thickets, or, in the case of the Steinbuck and Oribi, on grassy plains. As a rule, most of these antelopes fall to the shot gun. They are often bagged when the gunner is in pursuit of feathered game. In the thick bush fringing the littoral of Cape Colony, big drives are organised, in which large numbers of bushbuck and bluebuck are secured. The Harnessed '^\xs\\\iViZ\i(TrageIaphics scriphis), a very beautiful form of bushbuck, is found upon the banks of the river systems of South-Central, East, and West Africa, from the Limpopo north- wards, and is a prize that any sportsman may well be proud of North America — Turning to North America we find but two antelopes to make note of. Of these, the well-known Pronghorn (^Antilocapra americana) has become so scarce as to be now hardly accessible as a beast of chase ; while the singular Rocky Mountain Goat {Haploceros montamis), an excellent quarry for those fond of the most arduous and difficult mountain shoot- ing, may be classed among the goats almost as *» ■V ij«- Vi'^i^tK Rocky Mountain Goat. ///. at shoulder, 35J in. Av. horn meas. itnale) 8 in. Max. horn meas. \\\ in. much as among the antelopes. Perhaps the best ground at the present day for Rocky Mountain goat is among the snow- and ice-covered ranges of Alaska. H. A. Bryden. ANTELOPE COURSING— The common Indian Antelope {Antilope (ervicapra) is so fleet of foot, that it is ordinarily held to be useless to slip greyhounds after it. Even two grey- hounds held in leash, the second to take up the running when the first was distressed, have been known to be successively exhausted by one antelope with apparent ease, aided though they were by two riders similarly riding alternately. On soft ground, however, after rain, the pointed hoofs of the antelope sink so that a single grey- hound will pull down the fleetest of them. Aware of this, the antelope, if surprised among cultivation, where the fields are divided by ridges, will keep to the hard dry ridges, however rectangular, never cutting a corner across the plough, though the hound be within a stride, and therein showing its wisdom, makes good its escape. But even on hard ground, a fawn well selected from the herd by a practised eye as young enough may be run down if well ridden to. When the herd see the hounds closing up to a fawn, they circle round and cut in between the fawn and the hounds, and dally with them to lead them off. Then the riders must be close up, so as to be able to call off the hounds and lay them on to the fawn again. The herd will 4° THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT [archery repeat the manoeuvre again and again. A fawn so young that it had milk in its stomach took a field of well-mounted men with five deerhounds ten miles at such speed that all the hounds were exhausted, and all the horses but two, which only continued the chase by being ridden and saved alternately. ANTELOPE SNARING— In India antelope snaring is practised in the rutting season after the following method. A tame buck antelope, his horns dressed with nooses, is led in sight of the herd. His instinct prompts him to join the does, a move resented by the black buck of the herd. A fierce combat ensues, in the course of which the horns may become so entangled, that both eventually fall exhausted and in such plight are easily secured. ARCHERY — The practice of Archery can be traced back to very ancient times, though authorities differ as to when the use of the bow first became common in England. The many statutes for the encouragement and directing of the practice of Archery, the provisions made by them that practically every one should be skilled in the use of the bow, are sufficient evidence of the value which our ancestors placed upon it before "villanous saltpetre" ousted it from the proud position of our national weapon. After fire-arms had taken the place of the bow in war, the practice of archery appears in a great measure to have died out, though it still existed in the north of England, and up to about 1760 in the Finsbury fields. The revival of Archery as a pastime can be traced to 1780, when Mr. Waring, the Secretary or Manager of the Museum belonging to Sir Ashton Lever at Leicester House, took it up. Finding that it improved his health, he persuaded Sir Ashton Lever to try it. He did so, and, fascinated by it, with the assistance of his friends founded in 1781 the Royal Toxophilite Society which, from that time to the present day, has maintained its position at the head of the sport. Patronised and practised by the Prince of Wales and other Royal Dukes, archery at once sprang into popularity, and numerous Societies were founded, which flourished till the stern reality of war gave people little time to practise the peace- able sport of the bow. On the conclusion of peace, it was again warmly taken up, old Societies were revived, new ones were started all over the country, and in 1844 the first Grand National Archery Meeting took place at York. At the present time, there are numerous Societies all over England, and the five public meetings held annually show the popularity of the sport. Of the pleasures of archery and the facilities which it affords to both ladies and gentlemen for physical and graceful exercise there can be no doubt, and its fascination is well known to all who shoot. Unfortunately it has the draw- back of being difficult, and without regular practice and a knowledge of how to do it, it is not easy to excel, this however in the eyes of its votaries being one of its principal charms. The object of this article is to give instruc- tion which will assist beginners to commence shooting in the correct way, a great obstacle to success being the assumption of wrong methods at first, faults being thus established which it is difficult afterwards to eradicate. Many books of instructions on the subject have been written, commencing with Ascham's Toxophilus in 1545, down to the present day, good, bad and in- different. It is therefore impossible to write a new essay on archery without repeating much of what has been already said by the writers who come under the first category, notably Messrs. Roberts,^ Ford,^ Butt,^ and the latest exponent of the art, the Rev. Eyre Hussey.* The logical course seems to be first to de- scribe the implements of the craft, and then endeavour to teach their use. Bows are called "Self" if made of one piece of wood, and " Backed " if made of two or more strips of wood glued together. Self bows are generally made of yew or lance, though the term as applied to those made of the former wood is misleading, as they are almost invariably spliced at the handle. Self-yew is the dearest bow made, self-lance the cheapest. Backed bows are made of various combinations, yew-backed yew, as implied by the name, having both back and belly made of yew, being the best. In all other descriptions the back is made of hickory ; yew, fustic, washaba, or lance supplying the belly. In three-piece bows the back is generally hickory, the centre fustic, and the inside of the belly yew. There is no question that the best bow is either a self-yew, or a yew-backed yew, there being little to choose between them ; but both are expensive, require careful handling, and are easily damaged. Beginners are therefore ad- vised to commence with a self-lance, taking to a three-piece yew, fustic, and hickory as their shooting advances, and a self or yew-backed yew, when their skill and knowledge warrant it. A self-lance does not last long, as it soon loses its " cast " or power, but the three-piece will last a long time. The more expensive bows are certainly the most pleasant to shoot with, but it must not be thought that good scores cannot be made with the cheaper backed ones, provided they are made the right shape ; indeed many good shots use nothing else. The shape of all bows should be much the same, namely, it should be quite straight, or slightly follow the string (Fig. i). If the bow is at all reflexed, as it is called when the back bends forward, it is apt to jar on being loosed, the only exception being when a self-yew is ' The English Bowman. '■^ Archery, its Theory and Practice. » Butt's Ford. ' Archery (The Badminton Library). archery] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 4» made this shape in consequence of the natural growth of the wood. The length of a lady's bow should be from 5 ft. 5 in. to 5 ft. 7 in., and of a man's from 5 ft. II in. to 6 ft. I in., the longer bow being the best. If longer arrows than the respective standard lengths of 25 and 28 inches are to be used, the bow should be longer, or the increased strain may break it. The weight marked on a bow is the number of pounds it will take to pull it — 25 inches if a lady's, or 28 inches if a man's. In choosing a bow care should be taken that the grain is close, even, straight, smooth, and free from knots or pins, especially on the centre of the belly, as the rounded part is called, and towards each end. This is particularly neces- sary with yew, as pins in this wood are liable to develop into " crysals," — minute cracks at first scarcely visible, but gradually increasing in size, are termed, which eventually cause the bow to break. The grain on the flatter side of the bow or back should be smooth and even from end to end, and in a self-yew the line be- tween the white and darker parts of the wood should be well defined and even. The weight of the bow to be selected is an important point ; it is a common thing to find archers " overbowed " — i.e. having a stronger bow than they can manage. The weight of bow that can be pulled is one thing, that which can be properly loosed is quite a dif- ferent matter. It is a mistake to suppose that the stronger the bow the lower will be the trajectory ; unless the bow is thoroughly under control, the reverse will be the case. Ladies are advised to begin with a bow of 24 or 25 lbs. and men with 46 lbs. The longest distance now shot is 100 yards ; a properly loosed bow of 48 lbs. will carry it well, and it is far better to be "under" than " over " bowed. The weight being decided on, the back of the bow should be held upwards to see that it is straight, and that the two limbs are in the same plane. It should now be strung and the bend when drawn up carefully examined to see that the bow is rigid for about 20 inches in the centre, thence bending equally to each end (Fig. 2). It should then be held string upper- most, one end resting on the ground, when the string should appear to divide the bow into two equal parts. Fig. I.— The Bow. A, Upper limb, B, Handle. C, Lower limb. Arrows are made of deal, the best being " footed " with hard wood at the point or pile end, and these alone are to be recommended ; for though good shooting can be done with a cheap bow, cheap arrows are in the long run the dearest, besides being un- satisfactory. Arrows are made of four different shapes : the " straight," which should be the same size from end to end, but slightly reduced at the feathers ; the " barrelled," which are largest in the centre, tapering both ways ; the " bob-tailed," which are gradually reduced from the pile to the feathers, and the " chested," which is largest at about one third of its length from the feather end, tapering thence towards both ends. This last arrow is only used for flight shoot- ing, and it is the others which bespeak our atten- tion. The straight arrow is the steadiest and stifiest, but it is not quite so fast as the barrelled, for which reason several good shots prefer the latter. The bob- tail is a weak, bad shape ; it is not sufficiently strong to stand the blow it receives when leaving the bow, and consequently it "flirts" or flies off to the left. The straight arrow is the one recom- mended, but care must be taken that it really is straight, as many so-called straight arrows are bob-tailed. The feathers are made of two patterns, the straight (Fig. 3) and the parabolic (Fig. 4). They should not be too large, and should be placed as far back as possible, the former shape being perhaps the better. The wing of the pea- cock supphes the stiffest and most durable feather, turkey's coming next, the "grey goose wing," that poets write about, having lost its charm to the fletcher. The flight of an arrow, supposing it to be properly shot, is affected by its weight and balance. The weight, which is marked at the nock end of the arrow, represents its equivalent in new silver; thus an arrow marked 3.3. weighs 3s. 3d., 4.6. 4s. 6d., and so on. The balancing point is that part of the arrow on which it will balance on the finger. It will generally be found that all the arrows in a dozen are not precisely alike in these particulars, a variation of id. or 2d. in weight not being unfrequent. The arrows should therefore be sorted into sets as nearly as possible alike in weight and balance, to be used Fig. 2. — A good Shapb WHEN Strung. 42 THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT [archery at the same time. No doubt the difference in flight caused by the weight and balance not being exactly the same is not very great, but there is no reason for "giving away" anything. The weight of the arrow should be adapted to that of the bow, as if the arrow is too light it Fig. 3. Straight Feathers. Fig. 4. Parabolic Feathers. will be liable to flirt. For ladies' bows up to 27 lbs. 3.3 should be heavy enough, beyond that weight 3.6 is advisable. For a bow weigh- ing from 45 to 48 lbs. the arrow should not be lighter than 4.6, 4.9 being suitable for heavier bows. Arrows longer or shorter than the regular length should be heavier or lighter accordingly. In order to ascertain if an arrow is straight, put the nails of the thumb and second finger of the left hand together, place the footing of the arrow upon them, and holding the nock of the arrow with the thumb and finger of the right- hand twist the arrow so as to make it revolve. If it does so smoothly it is straight, if it is crooked it will jump. Tips, as the leather protection for the fingers of the right hand are called, are made of two FiG. 5. — Knuckle Tip. Fig. 6.— Screw Tip. patterns, the knuckle (Fig. 5) and the screw y a registered letter, addressed to his last known address, informing him of the proposed action of the Committee." {/i) The name and address of any person so e.vpelled from a club in the Southern district shall be sent to the Hon. Secretary of the A. A. A. ; and of any person so expelled from a Clulj in the Northern or Midland districts, to the Secretaries of the N.C.A.A.A. and M.C.A.A.A. respectively, and shall be entered by each of such officers in a book (to be called the " Black Book ") kept for that purpose. Every person whose name has been so entered in a Black Book shall be suspended from competing at a meeting held under A..^.A. Laws until the liability causing his said expulsion shall have been discharged. N. B. — Club Secretaries sending up a name for entry in a Black Book must send with each name the Post Office Receipt for the registered letter sent to such person, or the name will not be inserted. New Record Rules. 1. A Record can only be made in a iond fiile competi- tion (either level or handicajj) which has been duly fixed and advertised before the day, and is included in the printed programme, together with the names of the entrants for the event. 2. No one, whether entered or not, may join in the competition after it has been started. 3. In foot races the time must be taken by one or more competent timekeepers, the watch and watches must be proved to be accurate, and the course measured (12 inches from the inner edge of the track) by a surveyor or qualified member of the Association. 4. In competitions other than foot races, the distance must be measured at the time and certified by a surveyor or qualified member of the Association. Records Passed by the General Committee to end of 1S95. Running. Distance. Name. Record made by Yards. 100 120 120 Hur. 150 200 220 300 440 *440 Hur. 600 880 1000 1320 Miles. 9 10 12 15 20 25 30 40 50 100 A. Wharton C. A. Bradley .... A. R. Downer W. P. Phillips .... C. A. Bradley .... A. R. Downer .... Godfrey Shaw / C. G. Wood ^ C.J. Monvpenny . E. H. Pell'ing .... A. R. Downer .. . C. G. Wood C. G. Wood H. C. L. Tindall . E. C. Bredin T. M. Donovan,... E. C. Bredin F. J. K. Cross .... W. Pollock Hill . No reliable record. F. E. Bacon S. Thomas W. G. George . . . . S. Thomas E. C. W'illers S. Thomas W. G. George .... ,, . . . . S. Thomas ,, . .. . G. Crossland G. A. Dunning ... J. A. Squires G. A. Dunning .... J. E. Dixon No records Time. 4 6 9 14 19 24 30 35 40 46 51 51 50 iS s. 10 Hit ( 19* { 2lt 31* 48* 1 1 58i I It S4# I Si 17 53t i7f 24 J Jo 53? 17* 36? 57* 12 20 43 15* 54 44 36i 12 26J. Date. 3 .T"ly. I July, 4 May, 25 Mar., 28 April II May, 6 July, 21 [uly, 27 Feb., 28 Sept., II May, 25 June, 21 July, 20 Tune, 22 Tune, 7 Aug., 10 June, 9 "Mar. , 8 Mav, 6 July, 13 May. 26 April 3 June. 10 June, 24 Sept.. 22 Oct., 18S6 1S93 1895 1882 1894 1S95 1S95 1S87 1892 18S9 1S95 1887 1887 1S89 1895 1 89+ 1S93 1888 1S95 1S93 1884 1S94 1894 1893 1892 28 July, 1S84 7 April, 1884 22 Oct., 1892 22 Sept., 26 Dec, 2 May, 26 Dec , 1 1 April, 1S94 1881 1S85 1879 1SS5 Club of which a Member. Darlington College. Huddersfield. London A. C. Huddersfield. London A. C. Blackheath H. Cambridge U. A. C. Ranelagh H. London A. C. Blackheath H. Cambridge U. A. C. London A. C. Queen's College, Cork. London A. C. Oxford U. A. C. Ashton & Reading A. C. Ranelagh H. Moseley H. Ranelagh H. &L. A. C. Essex Beagles. Ranelagh H.&L. A. C. Moseley H. Ranelagh H. &L. A. C. Salford H. Clapton Beagles. London A. C. Clapton Beagles. L. A. C. and Spartans. Hurdle Race on Grass, over ten 3 ft. hurdles not less than thirty j-ards apart. i athletics] THE ENCVCLOP.'EDIA OF SPORT 67 Walking. Distance. Name. Record made by Time. Date. Club of which a Member. Miles. H. M. s. I W. T- Stuigess 6 39I 24 Aug., 1S95 Polytechnic H. t2 )> 13 44 25 Sep., 1S95 ,, 3 21 i64 28 Sep., 1895 »t 4 ») 29 I* 19 Oct., 1S95 ,, 5 j» ■St. 27 ,, ,, 6 »» 43 5S* )i »> 7 »» 51 27 )» ,, S ») ■;8 56 ,, ,, 9 H. Cm-tis I 1 1 14* 27 Dec, 1S90 Highgate H. 10 I 19 27I ,, , , ■ *Tom Griffith 2 27 3 Dec, 1870 South Essex A. C. 15 C. W. V. Clarice ... 2 10 13 26 Dec, 1 885 Southampton A. C. 1 *Tom Griffith 2 47 52 3 Dec, 1870 South Essex A.C. \ W. E. N. Coston... 3 9 27 Dec, 1880 Southampton A. C. 25 ,, 3 53 35 ,, ,, 30 ,, 4 46 52 ,, ,, ' "A. W. Sinclair 6 3S 14 Nov., 1879 North London A. C. 40 |. A. Mcintosh 7 I 44 2 Oct,, 1 886 Ealing H. 1 ''A. W. Sinclair 8 25 254 14 Nov., 1879 North London AC. 5° 1 T. A. Mcintosh S 52 25 2 Oct., 1886 Ealing H. 75 *A. W. Sinclair 14 10 27 Aug., 1 88 1 North London A. C. 100 * 3> >9 41 50 " " ■■' In matches against time, t On June 20 Sturgess walked the distance in 13 min. 33 sec, at Wembley Park, but it has not yet been considered by the Committee. Time Records — Walking. Event. 2 hours' Run I hour's Walk 3 hours' Walk 12 London to Brighton (52J miles) 1 Name. Record made by M. 20i 8' 21 64 H. 9 Distance. yds. ft. 270 180 M. S. 25 S Date. 22 Sep., 1894 19 Oct., 1895 3 Dec, 1870 27 Aug., 1881 10 April, 1886 G. Crossland W. J. Sturgess Tom Griffith A. W. Sinclair J. A. Mcintosh Club of which a Member. Salford H. Polytechnic H. South Essex A. C. North London A. C. Ealins H. Odd Events. Event. *High Jump Pole Jump Long Tump Putting the Shot (i61b.) tThrowing the Ham- mer (i61b.) Name. Record made by J. M. Ryan R. D. Dickenson. C. B. Fry D. Morgan W. J. M. Barry . Distance. ft. in. 6 44 II 9 23 6i 46 54 134 Date. IS Aug., 1895 1891 4 Mar., 1S93 15 Aug., 1894 23 July, 1892 dull of which a Member. Irish A. A. A. Windermere. Oxford U. A. C. Banteer. Southport A. C. * G. W. Rowdon's 6 ft. 5| in., Aug. 6, iSgo, at Hayter Camp, is not authentic. t J. Flanagan, of Kilmallock, threw 147 feet at Stamford Bridge Grounds, London, May 25th, 1S96, but it has not passed the General Committee as yet. 68 THE ENCVCLOP.EDIA OF SPORT [athletics Best Amateur Records in America. loo Yards 1 9* sec. loo Yards 9| sec. 220 Yards 2iisec. 3ooYards I 3iisec. 440 Yards I II47I sec. Half-Mile I i min. 53* sec. One Mile ' 4 min. I5|- sec. Four Miles I 2omin. I5isec. Five Miles 25 min. 23! sec. Ten Miles i 52min. 38|sec. 120 Yards Hurdles. |*I5| sec. One Mile Walk ... 6 min. 29* sec. Two Miles Walk... 13 min. 482 sec. Three Miles Walk. 21 rain, gi sec. Four Miles Walk.. ' 29 min. 40* sec. Seven Miles Walk. 54 min. 7 sec. High Jump 6ft. 5|in. Broad Jump 23 ft. 61 in. Pole Jump II ft. 5I in. Throwing Hammer 145 ft. oj in. i6-lbs. (7ft. circle). Putting the Weight 47 ft. i6-lbs. (7ft. circle). Throwing 56-lbs. 35 ft. 10^ in. (7ft. circle) I. Owen, Junr. ... B. T. Wefers B. T. Wefers B. J. Wefers W. Baker C. J. Kilpatriek .. T. r. Conueff W. D. Day E. C. Carter W. D. Day Stephen Chase ... F. P. Murray F. P. Murray F. P. Murray T. H. Arnrstrong. . E. E. Merrill M. F. Sweeney ... C. S. Reber W. S. Rodenbaugh. J. S. Mitchell Detroit N. Y. A. C. ... Georgetown, U. N. Y. A. C Boston A. C. ... N. Y. A. C. .. N. Y. A. C. ... S. I. A. C N. Y. A. C. .. S. I. A. C Travers Island.. W. A. C W. A. C W. A. C N. Y. A. C. .. Univ. A. C. ... N. Y. A. C. .. Detroit Championships N.Y.A.C.v.L. A.C. Inter-Collegiate Travers Island Boston N.Y.A.C.v.L. A.C. Travers Island Bergen Point, N. J... New York West New Brighton., New York New York A. C Manhattan A. C New York N. Y. A. C. Boston A. C Manhattan Field... . Detroit, Mich Philadelphia, Pa Travers Island, N.Y. Oct. Sept May Sept. July Sept. Aug. Nov. Sept. Oct. Sept. Oct. May Nov. Nov. Oct. Sept. July Sept. Oct. [I, 1890 21, 1895 30, 1S96 28, 1895 I, 1886 21, 1895 30. 1895 16, 1889 17, 1887 26, 1889 28, 189s 27, 1883 30, 1884 6, 1883 6, 1877 5, 1880 21, n 1S91 1892 1892 G. R. Gray N. Y. A. C. ... Chicago Sept. 16, 1893 J. S. Mitchell N. Y. A. C. ... Travers Island, N.Y.' Sept. 2, 1894 On cinders ; same runner 16 sec, on grass, Sept. 22, 1894. On a straight course. AUROCHS— The true Aurochs (Bos taurus, var. primigemis) is not now found in a wild state. That which sportsmen call the "Aurochs," is really the European bison {Bos bonasiis). \See B1.S0N AND Buffalo.] BABIRUSA {Sus babmisa)—A wild hog found in Celebes and some neighbouring islands, and distinguished by the extraordinary size and curvature of the tusks in the lower jaw of the male. It is much hunted by the natives, who drive it into a netted enclosure and afterwards secure it alive or spear it. BADGER {Meks tcKxiis) — An unfamiliar, though by no means rare, British quadruped, of burrowing and nocturnal habits. As Badger- Baiting [see Obsolete Sports] has long since been forbidden by statute, the " brock," as it is widely known in the north country, affords now- a-days but little legitimate sport. In some dis- tricts, however, mainly owing to its falsely alleged taste for game (its real diet consisting mainly of roots, wild fruits, and insects), it is shot by keepers, and also persecuted in various ways. The favourite methods of capturing it at the present day consist either in digging it out ; or, on a moonlight night, when the animal is away from home, blocking every entrance to the burrow but one, and, having placed a sack in the free entrance, driving the badger back to this extemporised trap with dogs. In South Germanv, where the huntint; of the badger is much more in vogue, the small breed known as Dachshund {Dachs = badger) is employed, and two of these animals will keep their tough assailant at bay until their master is able to seize it by the tail and transfer it to a sack. BADMINTON— The game of Badminton is played in a Court forty-four feet long by twenty wide. The net, which ought to be as light as possible, and made with a small mesh, should be stretched for twenty feet across the centre of the court, and should not be less than eighteen inches deep. Its lower edge should be five feet from the ground, and as taut as possible. • -The Badminton bat should not be more than five ounces in weight. The shuttlecock should weigh about a quarter of an ounce. The small shuttlecock used by many clubs weighs considerably less than a quarter of an ounce. This small shuttlecock is slower in flight, and the rallies are consequently longer and the game generally easier. A eadjiinton] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 69 Badminton is best played in a well-lighted room or hall, where the wind cannot affect the flight of the shuttlecock. It can be played very well with the larger shuttlecock in the open air on a calm day. The game is often played with three or four players on a side. This is not, however, the scientific game ; for with more than two on a side the players in front can- to feet. 10 feet. Line Height of Net 5 feet. Service Line. Scale 20 feet, inch to a foot. not help getting in the way of their partners behind. The Service lines are drawn across the court parallel with the net, and six and a half feet on each side of it. A line down the centre, joining the service lines and baselines, forms the four courts. The game is fifteen for one or two players on a side, twenty-one for three plajers, and twenty-eight for four players on a side. In beginning a game with two players on each side, the side that goes in first is only allowed one hand in, but after the first round the partners go in one after the other. In Serving, the striker must stand behind the service line, and hit the shuttlecock so as to give it an upward trajectory, and send it over the opposite service Hne into the opposite diagonal court. There are no faults allowed in serving as in lawn-tennis. Only the player in the diagonal court can take the serve. After the serve, the players can go as near the net as they like, and send the shuttlecock anywhere within the courts, provided it goes over the net and between the poles. If the shuttlecock touches the net in going over, it does not invali- date the stroke, but the striker must not touch the net with his bat. If the striker send the shuttlecock into or under the net, or outside the courts, it scores against him. If his side be in, the hand goes out ; if the other side be in, it scores an ace. If the shuttlecock touch the ground within the opposite courts, or touch the dress or person of a plajer, the striker scores an ace if his side be in ; if the other side be in, their hand goes out. AVhenever an ace is scored, the server changes courts. \Vhen the score stands thirteen all, they set five ; when fourteen all, they set three. They begin counting again, and the side which first scores five or three wins. The sides cross over when the score has reached eight. Badminton is a quicker game than lawn- tennis. The courts being smaller, there is not so much running about, but there is more hard hitting, and the exercise to the arm is greater. It is a great advantage to put the server out at the first stroke, to prevent his side scoring. The policy of the server is to send the shuttlecock high, so that it may drop as perpendicularly as possible into the farthest corner of the diagonal court, and thus make it difficult for the adversary to cut it down and kill it. It is generally good play to keep sending the shuttlecock high at the back of the adversary's court until an opportunity comes to cut it down and kill it. In cutting down the striker should try not ;to send it within reach of the adversary. When the shuttlecock is being driven hard backward and forward, an ace is often secured by suddenly altering the pace and dropping the shuttlecock just over the net. In playing singles, the player who gets command of the shuttlecock, and is thus able to send it at each stroke far from the adversary, has a great advantage. In such a case, unless the last ace in the game is in question, it is better deliberately to lose the ace than to con- tinue playing at such a disadvantage. As an 7° THE encyclop.i-:dia of sport [badminton illustration, the writer saw a very good lady- player lose an important match in this way to a skilful adversary. It was towards the close of a severe contest that the lady was forced by her antagonist to run across the courts at every stroke. She ran so well that she must have covered nearly fifty yards before she failed at last to return the shuttlecock. The effort was so great, that she was quite exhausted, and the lady opposed to her made the two or three aces necessary to win the match with the greatest ease. Badminton is a game of science and strength. The quickest and most active player is almost sure to win, but he must also possess that instinct which enables him in the heat of a rally to decide in a moment where to place the shuttlecock so as to be in the most difficult position for the adversary to reach it. Badminton, at first played only at Bath, Cheltenham, and other places where retired Indians congregate, is now widely known. Clubs are formed all over the country. The game has stood the test of time, is more popular than ever, and will doubtless continue to flourish. Arthur Southey. BADMINTON IN INDIA is ordinarily played in a ground the size of a double lawn- tennis court (78 X 36 ft.), with five players a-side. Instead of the usual shuttlecock, most players prefer a ball of Berlin wool wound on a double disc of cardboard 2 J inches in diameter, with a central hole of i in. The ball flies more quickly than the shuttlecock. ^Vhen missed by one player, it is not considered dead until it has touched the net or ground, or been taken in hand, but may be returned by any other player, or jjlayers, on the same side. Glossary. Ace — The unit of scoring. Base-lines — The lines parallel with the net, which limit the ground at the extremity of the courts. Court — The ground, a rectangle measuring 44 ft. X 20 ft., is marked out into five divisions. The service-lines are parallel to, and on either side of the net. The spaces between the service-lines and base-lines are subdivided into right and left courts [v. diagram]. Fault — An attempted service or return, which either fails to clear the net, or pitches outside the proper court. Game — This consists of 15 points for 2 players a-side, 21 for 3 a-side, or more. Hand-in — The player who serves. Hand-out — The server or striker is out when the shuttlecock does not clear the net, or when it does not reach the proper court or drops beyond the boundary-lines. Net — This is slung across the shorter transverse of the courts, midway between the base-lines. It should be between 5 ft. and 5 ft. i in. in height. It is a light, small- meshed net. Points — The units of scoring. A point is scored when the opponents fail to return the shuttlecock, or when they send it out of the courts. Racquet — Must not exceed 5 oz., and is strung with cat-gut. Service — The opening stroke of a round, the server standing in one court between the service- and Ijase- lines and driving the shuttlecock in a rising trajectory, so that it would pitch, if allowed, in the court diagonally opposite him. Service-lines — Lines drawn across the ground parallel with the net and 6i ft. on either side of it. Shuttlecock — The missile employed, which consists of a cork crowned with feathers, from 3 to 5 inches in length. In weight, about \ oz. Rules. I. Badminton can be played by any number of players, up to four on a side. II. A full-sized court is 44 feet by 20. The top of the net should be 5 feet from the ground and should be quite straight. III. Choice of courts is decided by tossing. The side that loses the toss taking the serve ; the player in the right hand court beginning the service. IV. In beginning the game, when there are 2 on a side, only one hand goes in, when 3 are on a side only 2 go in, and when 4 are on a side only 3 go in. .'\fter the first service the partners all go in one after the other. V. The server may serve from any part of his court behind the service line. He must serve over the net and over the service line on the opposite side, into the diagonal court. In serving, the wrist must not be higher than the elbow. No faults are allowed in serving. VI. Only the player or players standing in the diagonal court can take the service. Where 3 are playing on a side, however, the player at the back can take the service from either court. They may take a wrong service if they choose, but if they fail to return the shuttlecock the server scores an ace. VII. After the serve both sides may go as near the net as they like, and send the shuttlecock anywhere within the opposite courts, provided it goes over the net and between the poles. VIII. Should the shuttlecock be sei-ved or returned by any player, under the net, or into the net, or through the net, or outside the court it scores against him. If his side is in, the hand goes out, if the other side is in, it scores an ace. IX. If the shuttlecock touches the ground within the opposite courts, or touches any part of the dress or person of a player in the opposite courts the striker scores an ace if his side is in, if the other side is in their hand goes out. X. If a player touches the shuttlecock with his bat, but fails to return it, it scores against him, whether or not it falls outside his courts. XI. If the striker touches the net with his bat it scores against him, and if he strikes the shuttlecock before it has crossed the net it scores against him. XII. If the shuttlecock touches the line it is within the courts. XIII. Whenever an ace is scored the server changes courts ; when 2 on a side are playing he changes with his partner ; when 3 are playing the player at the back comes to the front to serve ; when 4 are playing the sei'ver changes courts, with the partner standing level with him in the back or front as the case may be. No change of position among the players is allowed unless an ace is scored by the side wishing to change. XIV. If the shuttlecock touches the net or the poles in going over the net, it does not invalidate the stroke. XV. The game is 15 for singles or 2 on aside, for more than 2 on a side the game is 21. XVI. When the game is called 13 all they set 5, when 14 all they set 3. In each case they begin counting again and the side which makes 5 or 3 first wins. In games of 21 they set 5 at 19 all, and 3 at 20 all. XVII. In games of 15 points the sides cross over when the score has reached 8, and in games of 21 they cross over when the score has reached 11. XVIII. The decision of the umpire is final, whether it is right or whether it is wrong. A bandy] THE ENCYCLOP-^iDIA OF SPORT 71 BANDY — Bandy, or Hockey on the Ice, is a similar game to hockey on the land. It is played by skaters upon broad sheets of ice between goals, with curved sticks called " ban- dies," and a ball or " cat." Teams — The players are divided into two parties or teams, and the object of each set of players is to drive the ball through the goal of their opponents. Ground — A large piece of ice is needed for playing the game satisfactorily. The smallest ground allowed by the rules is 100 yards x 50 yards, and that only when a larger cannot be obtained. The ground should be quite free from s/wiv, as even a thin layer spoils the game, and the snow should be swept off at once before it has time to harden. Goals — The goals consist of two upright posts, 1 2 feet apart. Number of Players — The players are eleven a side, but if the field is smaller than 100 yards x 50 yards it is better to reduce their number : thus, six a side make a good game on a field of 75 yards x 35 yards. The Bandy — The bandy used is a curved ash stick of about i -i inches diameter and 3^ feet long. It is very similar to the stick used in hockey on land, except that the blade is not so curved, and is not, as in that game, rounded on one side, but has both sides flat. The Cat — The "cat" used is an india- rubber ball, about the size of a lawn-tennis ball. With such tools on a surface like ice tremendous hits might be given. To discourage this, and also to prevent accidents, the bandy in hitting mav not be raised above the shoulder. The Game — The rules of the game are in general the same as those of hockey on land, the rules of offside being the same as in Association football, with the exception that a player cannot be offside in his own half of the ground. There is, however, no rule that all hits must be made on one side of the bandy, or from the right hand ; and, in fact, in dribbling the player keeps the ball well in front of him, pushing it forward, now with one side of the bandy now with the other, and often changing hands when dodging an opponent. The teams are ranged in the field much the same as in hockey and football, there being a goalkeeper, backs, half-backs, and forwards ; and a combined game of passing across the ground is found effective, especially upon smaller grounds. On larger grounds the dribbling is a special feature of the game, and is far more brilliant and effective than in the games above mentioned. The skilful player can run with the ball in front of him at very nearly his full speed, perhaps at the rate of from twelve to fourteen miles an hour, or even more, and can, almost without slackening his pace, dodge and elude a single player coming forward to " tackle " him ; while it is almost impossible for the player when passed to turn round and catch him up again. The way in which a fast and skilful player will sometimes thread his course with the ball through his opponents is astonishing. These facts, and the rapidity with which the ball travels when hit, make the game exceedingly rapid and exciting, and of keenest interest to players and onlookers ; and it would doubtless become very popular but for the very limited number of days in the year upon which it can be played, the difficulty of finding a suitable ground, and the necessary uncertainty which attends every fixture, even when made only two or three days ahead, from the changes in the weather. The game has been described as played in accordance with the rules of the National Bandy Association which are given below. But where the field of ice is very small a plain cork bung, covered with leather or bound with string, may be used with advantage ; and in some places the thin hockey-stick with bent end of about six inches, formerly used by the Virginia Water and other clubs, is still preferred. On the artificial ice at the Ice Palace (Regent Street), where the space is of course extremely limited, a fairly good game is obtained by using a fiat india- rubber disc (3 inches diam. x i inch thick) as the cat, and by prohibiting the bandy when used in hitting from being raised from the ice. The kinds of skates used in the game are various. The members of the Bury Fen Club use ordinary " fen runners " (wooden with flat blades), and by preference the " Standard " skates (marked " S. B." with crossed bandies), but the Virginia Water players, and many others outside the fens, u.se one or other of the varieties of figure-skates with curved blades. The game, played with the restrictions im- posed by the rules against high hitting, tripping, charging, &c., is both safe and de- lightful ; and the writer, after considerable experience, hardly remembers a serious accident occurring. But if played in rude and unre- stricted fashion, and in an ill-natured spirit, it becomes dangerous. A great advantage is that it is played with enjoyment and success by men of middle age, and also by ladies, among them- selves. The game has for some years been played by ladies on private pieces of water, and by, among others, the Princess of Wales and her daughters. Ladies should, however, use thinner bandies and a lighter ball than those above mentioned. A lawn-tennis or a string ball is suitable. Among the principal bandy clubs are the Bury Fen B.C. who play on Bury Fen, at Earith (Hunts.); the Virginia IVater B.C. who play on Englemere, near Ascot ; the Winchester B.C., on \Vinnall meadows near that city ; the Cam- berley club, on the "Staff" lake, and the North- ampton B.C. Mr. Bryant's lake at Stoke Pogis, and the Duke of Marlborough's lake at Blenheim are also fine bandy grounds. The game was 7 = THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT I'.ANDV introduced in 1890-91 into Holland, and there are clubs at Haarlem, Amsterdam, and other places. In 1894 Mr. C. G. Tebbutt introduced it into Norway. It is also regularly played in the season at Davos Platz, and at St. Moritz in Switzerland by the English visitors. Further in- formation may be obtained from Mr. H. Blackett, Sunninghall, Ascot, hon. sec. of the Bandy Association. Arnold Tebbutt. Glossary. Ball — Of solid indiarubber, diameter between 2\ and 2^ in. Usually red. Bandy — The club from which the game is named. Shaped like a hockey-stick, only with the blade flat on both sides. Length along the outer curve, not more than 4 ft. Width, not exceeding 2 in. at any point. Corner-hit — A free-hit, given to one side from the corner next their opponents' goal. Dribbling — Pushing the ball along with the flat of the bandy, as opposed to hitting. Goal — (i) Two posts 12 ft. apart, connected by a tape or lath 7 ft. above the surface of the ice. (2) The scoring unit, obtained by driving the ball through the posts. Ground — A rectangular sheet of ice, measuring not more than 200 yds. X 100 yds. and not less than 100 X 50. Offside — Same as in Association Football (i/.z:) ; only a player cannot be offside in his own half of the ground. Team — Eleven players on each side. Time — Usually one hour and a half for each match. Rules of Play. I . A bandy team shall consist of eleven players. 2 The ground shall be a right-angled parallelogram, 200 yards long by 100 wide ; but when it is not possible to provide so large a ground it mav be reduced, and also the number of players, by mutual agreement, provided that the ground be not less than 100 yards by 50 yards. The longer sides to be called side liins and the shorter lines ffoal lines. A line, or mark, parallel to, and equi- distant from, the goal lines shall be called the cenlie line. (The usual and best size for play is 150 yards by IC«D yards. ) 3. The bandy shall be of wood, not exceeding two inches in width in any part, or four feet in length as measured along the handle and round the curve ; and shall have no metal fittings or sharp edges. 4. Players must wear the colours of their side on the playing arm or bandy. 5. The ball shall be of solid indiarubber, not less than 2\ inches, nor more than 2f inches in diameter. It is desirable to have it coloured red. The present regulation lacrosse ball is much used. 6. The goals shall be in the centre of the goal lines, and consist of two uprights or goal posts twelve feet apart, connected by a horizontal tape or lath seven feet from the ice. 7. The choice of goals shall be tossed for at the be- ginning of the game ; and at half-time, and then only, the teams shall ch,ange ends. The time during which a match is to last shall be agreed upon beforehand by the captains, the recognised time for play being one and a half hours. 8. To start the game, and after each goal is made, each team being on its own side of the centre line, play shall be commenced by the referee or one of the umpires throwing up the ball perpendicularly in the air from the centre of the ground, and when the ball has reached the ice it shall be in play. 9. A goal is scored when the ball has passed between the goal-posts and under the tape or lath. 10. When a player touches the ball, any jilayer of the same side who at that moment is nearer his opponents" goal-line is offside, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so, until it has been touched by another player ; unless there are at least three of his opponents nearer their own goal-line. No player can be offside when within his own half of the ground. 11. Whilst the ball is in play, and when a player strikes at the ball, his bandy may not during any part of the stroke rise above his shoulder. 12. The ball maybe stopped with any part of the body or bandy, but not with the hand on the ice, except in the case of the goal-keeper ; nor must it be picked up, carried, kicked, thrown or knocked on, except with the bandy. No charging, kicking, collaring, shinning, tripping, throwing the bandy, or rough play shall be allowed. Fencing or hooking bandies shall not be allowed. 13. On the occasion of a free hit, no member of the offending team shall be within five yards of the spot where such hit is made, but he sh.all not be compelled to go. behind his own goal-line. A goal cannot be scored from a free hit, unless the ball just touches .another player. 14. On the occasion of a free hit, a corner hit, or when the ball is hit off from a goal-line, or from a side-line, the striker or throw'er shall not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player. 15. When the ball has passed the side-line, it shall be immediately struck or hit in from where it crossed the line, in any direction, except forward, by one of the opposite team to that of the player who last touched it. No other pl.ayer shall be within five yards of the side-line. 16. If the ball is p,issed beyond the defenders' goal- line, but not through the goal by the attacking team, it shall be hit out into play by one of the defenders, from any point on the goal-line within ten yards of the nearest goal-post, and on that side crossed by the ball, the attack- ing side being at least twenty-five yards from the said goal-line. But if the ball has been last touched by one of the defending team before crossing the goal-line, a player of the attacking team shall have a free hit from any point on the side-line within a yard of the nearest corner ;. and at the moment of such hit, all the defenders mu.st be behind their own goal-line. 17. The penalty for any breach of these rules shall be a free hit by one of the opposite team, from the spot where the rule is broken. 18. Two umpires and a referee should be appointed, each captain appointing one umpire, and the umpires so appointed choosing the referee. When there are only two umpires and no referee, each umpire shall act in one half of the ground as divided by the centre-line, and give decisions only in that half. The two umpires shall not cross over at half-time. In case of umpires disputing, the decision of the referee shall be final. In case there is only one umpire, his decision shall be final. Should there be no umpire, or umpires, the captains shall be arbitrators in all disputes. 19. A match is won by the team which scores the greater number of goals. 20. In the event of an appeal for any supposed infringe- ment of the rules, the ball shall be in play until a decision has been given. 21. The referee shall have power to stop the game for such time as he may think fit, whenever he may deem it necessary to do so ; and he shall deduct any time which he considers has been wasted, owing either to an acci- ' dent or other cause. 22. In the event of any temporary suspension of the play from any cause, the ball not having gone beyond the side-line, or behind the goal-line, the game shall be re- started by the referee throw^ing up the ball at the spot where the play was suspended: and when the ball has reached the ice, it shall be in play. [Note. — "Touching' the person or bandy.] in these rules means touchin" baseball] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 73 BARBEL {Barbiis vulgaris) — [See Angling, (Coarse Fish)]. Measurements, etc. — Length of head 4 to 4j, of c.-iudal fin 4f, height of body 5 to 6 times in the tot.il length. Eyes — rather high up, situated in the middle of the length of the head, S to 10 diameters in the length of the head, 3^ to 4i diameters from the end of the snout, and 3 to 4 apart. Dorsal profile more convex than that of the abdomen, which is almost horizontal. Snout produced and somewhat overhanging the jaws, the maxilla much longer than the mandible. Lips thick. Barbels — two thick pairs, the maxillary ones extending to beneath the middle of the eye, while the rostral pair are somewhat shorter. Teeth — pharyngeal, curved, hooked at their extremity and pointed, 4, 3, 2/2, 3, 4. Fins — dorsal commences about midway between the angle of the mouth and the base of the caudal fin, the extent of its base 3 shorter than the third undivided dorsal ray, which is the longest, osseous, strong, and serrated along its posterior margin : last ray of the fin half the height of the longest anteriorly. Pectoral inserted low down, broad, and about four-fifths as long as the head, but not reaching the ventrals, which latter do not extend to the anal. Anal narrow, the length of its base being only two-fifths of its height. Caudal deeply forked. Scales — about thirty-five rows anterior to the base of the dorsal fin, and seven between the lateral- line and the base of the ventral. Lateral-line — complete, continued to the base of the caudal fin. GiUrakers — short. Colours — olivaceous, shot with gold, lightest along the sides and lower surface. Dorsal fin with a narrow, dark outer edge. The other fins of a reddish colour. Day, Fishes of Great Britain and Ireland (Horace Cox), vol. ii. 169. BARRACOUTA {Thyrsites)—k name locally applied to more than one family of sea-fish. The finest species, both for sport and food, is found in the waters round Tasmania, where it is caught from a boat up to a weight of 10 lbs. with what is called the " Maori-jig," a simple tackle consisting only of a piece of red wood pierced by a tent nail. The boat is kept in motion and the fish, which seize the bait greedily, are jerked on board by means of a short, stout rod and line. BASEBALL — Many writers, when chroni- cling the merits of their own particular sport, seem to consider they cannot do it justice unless they prove by arguments, more or less convincing, that it dates from almost prehistoric times. Baseball, I may say at once, does not belong to Ancient History. What matters it whether the game originated in the days of Alfred the Great or simply dates its birth somewhere in the last half century ? If the skill and science of the pastime appeal to the athlete, what does it matter for its antiquity ? I may frankly admit then that Baseball, as Baseball, is not yet half a century old. Similarity to Rounders — An Englishman, witnessing the game for the first time will imiTiediately e.xclaim, " Why, this is nothing but Rounders ! " To a great extent the Englishman is right. Baseball is Rounders made scientific. Using Rounders for their groundwork, our brothers on the other side of the Atlantic started to build the edifice of America's national game. Rules and regulations were made to govern the game. Each year saw something added, some- thing amended. The rough edges were hewn off, the rough surface in time was polished. Useless rules were abolished and useful ones evolved. The result has been that Baseball can now take its stand amidst the finest forms of athletics and its followers can boast of as much skill and science in their pursuit of the game as do the devotees of Football or Cricket in the better known winter and summer sports at home. The Theory of the Game — Eighteen players are required for a Baseball match, nine on each side. The aim of each team is the same as in Cricket — viz., to make as many runs as possible. To score a run a player must make a complete circuit of the bases, but not neces- sarily on one hit. For instance, with his own hit he may only get as far as first base. He may get to second base whilst the pitcher (the equivalent of the bowler in Cricket) is delivering a ball to the succeeding batsman. Third base may be reached on the hit of the batsman ; and he inay reach home plate on a hit by batsman number three. So he would score a run. There are other methods, of course, of getting from base to base, but the above will suffice for an example. The captain of the home team has choice of innings. To the cricketer such a proceeding would seem to give the visiting team the worst of the bargain. Did the game take as long to decide as Cricket, the argument might hold good : but, as a baseball match as a rule does not last more than two hours and a half at the most, it would be hard to say that either side is unduly favoured. One team takes the field, and the members of the other take their turn at the bat in regular order. When three men are put out the innings is finished, and the other team then takes its turn with the bat. The game consists of nine innings for each side, and the team having the greatest number of runs at the finish wins. To Lay out the Baseball Field— The simplest method of marking out a Baseball field is as follows : — Procure a heavy cord one hun- dred and eighty feet in length. In it tie three knots, one at sixty feet five inches, another at ninety feet, and a third at one hundred and twenty-seven feet four inches. When you have found the most suitable position for the home- base, more commonly called the home-plate, drive a peg in the ground and attach the line to it. Carry the line straight out in the direction in which you intend to bat, and knot number three will give you the position of second base. Great care must be taken that the cord be quite taut and absolutely straight from the peg at the home-plate to the centre of the second base. Whilst the cord is so held, the knot at sixty feet five inches will mark the centre of the pitcher's plate. Let one end of the cord be held at the home-plate, the other at second base, and let some one holding the knot at ninety feet, which of course is the exact centre of the cord, walk 74 THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT [BASEliAI.I, out with it to the corner of the diamond where first base is to be situated, and when the hne cannot be carried further without bringing it away from the home-plate or second base, there fix your first base. Repeat this in the opposite direction and mark third base, and there you have your diamond complete. Herewith is appended a diagram of a Baseball field show- ing the positions of the fielders, the foul lines, bases, &c. the ball, then, is necessary. When he has got this, he must bear in mind the important fact that the true art of pitching is to deceive the eye of the batsman. That is to say he must send the ball towards the bat in such a way as to lead the striker to believe that it is coming high when it is really coming low, that it is travelling direct for his chest when it is really going feet away from his body, that it is a fast delivery when in reality it is slow, and so on. Like the bowler C.F. Key • ro THE Dl.-iGRAM. C. = Catcher the P. = Pitcher Battery 1. = First Base. F.B. = First Baseman. 2. = . Second Base. S.B. = Second Baseman. 3- = Third Base. T.B. = Third B.aseman. S.S. = Short Stop. Key to the Diagram L.F. = Left Fielder. C.F. = Centre Fielder. R.F.= Right Fielder. F.L. = Foul Line. C.B. =Coachers Box. B. B. = Batsman's Box. P. P. = Pitcher's Plate. H.P. =Home Plate. U. = Umpire. Plan of Ground. Duties and Qualifications of Players — The Pitcher — The pitcher is in Baseball what the bowler is in Cricket, and consequently his first qualification must be a thorough com- mand of the ball. It is true that speed counts for a good deal in both games, but speed is practically useless if eight out of ten balls are sent to the batsmen in such a fashion that they can never be effective. The pitcher is not allowed a run, as is the bowler, preparatory to delivering the ball ; but apart from that, his deliveries are practically untrammelled. He may pitch, throw, jerk or hurl the ball provided he does it in such a waj- that the ball pass over the home-plate not higher than the batsman's shoulder nor lower than his knee. His aim is to deliver three balls answering the above de- scription in such a way that the batsman cannot hit them, and provided he succeeds before he sends up four balls that are not of this nature, he retires the batsman. Should the batsman, however, strike at a ball not coming over the plate and miss it, the pitcher has attained his end just the same. A thorough command of in Cricket, if he wants to excel in the game he must use his intellect. Brute strength and fast pitching are all very well in their way, but un- less allied to sound judgment, to all intents and purposes they are of very little avail. To keep his judgment, he must keep his temper. He must not, simply because his laest deliveries are treated with contempt, lose control of him- self. When he loses control of himself, he loses control of the ball : and when that happens, he had better vacate his position, or else he will soon lose his side the match. The pitcher must, above all things, have a code of signals with his catcher. A movement of the hand, an elevation of the head by the latter, lets the pitcher know that this ball is to be an in-shoot, the other an out-curve. .\ movement of the head may mean that the pitcher is to throw to second base : a nod may iTiean that the ball is to be hurled to first base, and so on. They must agree upon their signals, and the services that the catcher will render the pitcher, who cannot watch the field as does the man behind the bat, will be invaluable. DASEliAI.I.] THE ENCYCLOP-^DIA OF SPORT 75 It was doubted for some time in England that the Baseball pitcher could curve or twist a ball in the air. That the average pitcher does so there cannot be a doubt. It seems The Pttcukk. wonderful that any one can do so without assist- ance from the ground, but a lesson or two from a good pitcher will give a likely man the know- ledge of how it is done, and then constant, steady practice will do the rest. The beginner must be content with ordinary straight balls at first. The science of pitching will be picked up in time. One thing I would impress upon the pitcher, and it is this, study the batsman. If you find that he is timorous of the deliveries that come near his body, you must attack his weak point. If you discover that he cannot hit a low ball, do not be anxious to treat him to high ones. Study the weak points of your adversary. Find where his defence is weakest, and, when you have found the weak spot, turn your attention to scoring off it. The pitcher, too, must be a man of pluck. In his position the ball will be batted very often to him at lightning speed. He must not be afraid to face it. If he is nervous and timorous he is scarcely likely to pitch with judgment, for he will be so impressed with the idea of avoiding being hit that he will think of little else. The Catcher — The catcher's position, to my mind, is the most difficult and most dan- gerous in the game. When there are not any men on bases the position is an easy one, but when " two strikes " or " three balls " are called, then thetroublescommence. Hemust come right up behind the bat and face the fastest deliveries without flinching. It is a position demanding courage. In addition to courage the catcher must have splendid judgment and a sure eye. His duties are akin to those of the wicket-keeper in Cricket, but considerablv more varied. He must be able to hold every third strike missed by a batsman, or, if he drop the ball, he must be alert enough to pick it up in time to hurl it to first base so that it will arrive in the base- man's hands before the runner can get to the base. He is bound to keep a most watchful eye on the base runners so as to cut them off when they endeavour to steal a base. To do this he must be a good fast thrower, and must throw with the greatest judgment, for a ball sent flying wildly over the baseman's head might be the cause of a run or two runs being credited to the opposing side. The catcher must have a ready eye for the weak points of a batsman. He is in a better position to detect them than even the pitcher, and when he has discovered them he must bring the code of signals, of which I wrote above, into play to let the pitcher know exactly what kind of a ball to send in. Some catchers make the mistake of throwing to a base whenever the base-runner makes a feint at stealing a base. Here the catcher's judgment must again be brought into play. He must know by intuition when the base-runner is feigning, or " bluffing " as they .say in America, and when he is seriously intending to steal a base. He must, before he throws, first be sure of his baseman ; secondly, be sure of his aim ; and, thirdly, be sure that he times his throw well. First Baseman — The position of first baseman is the one for the tall man, for he has to stop all kinds of throws, straight or wild. All basemen should be able to catch well, but the occupant of first base should especially excel in 1 HK C.\1CHEK. this line. More men are disposed of at first base than at any other position on the field. The ball is returned there from every part of the diamond, as the fielders all endeavour to cut off the base-runner at first base. As a result, balls are hurled in every conceivable way at the poor baseman. They come in every possible direc- tion, and he is expected to stop them all. He 76 THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF SPORT [baseball is expected to catch the high, the low, the wide, and, if it is absolutely impossible for him to catch them, his fellow players consider that he is bound, at any rate, to stop them. No matter how fast a ball is thrown at him he must get in front of it, for if it passes him there is no telling the harm it may do the side. Not only must he catch well, but he must be an expert thrower. He must throw straight and with speed. He must, too, have quick judgment to know in an instant when his own base is safe and where the ball is to be sent to do the greatest damage to the opposing side. Second Baseman — The second baseman, being the centre man in the field, is called upon to do his work quickly and reliably. He must be a most active fielder, for being in a direct line with the batsman he receives some of his hottest drives, and must stop them unfailingly. Moreover, he is a target for the catcher, who throws more often to second base to cut off a runner than to any other position in the field. He must be at his base to accept the hottest throws, and prompt to touch at once the base- runner with the ball before that worthy can attain his haven of rest. Catching the ball and stopping it do not cover the duties of second baseman. He must be able to take in the situation at a glance, and be able to throw surely and effectively the very moment the ball is in his hands. A cool head is needed for the position, with judgment and readiness enough to render him equal to any and every emergency. Short Stop — Short stop is a very difficult position. As regards fielding, I consider it the most important of any of the positions in the in- field. It is one which calls for a very active player to discharge its duties thoroughly. A very great number ot batted balls come to this position, and more often than not they travel at a speed that would disconcert a player who was in any way faint-hearted. He must be a sure fielder and an unerring thrower, for very, very often in the game devolves upon him the duty of secur- ing the treacherous grounder and sending it over to first base in time to cut off the swiftest runner. He is also called upon to back up all the positions of the in-field. He must be behind second baseman when the catcher throws to cut off a runner ; the same applies to him with regard to third baseman. He must be on the alert to pick up any ball that glances, when hard hit, off the pitcher's person or clothing. No player consequently is fitted for the position who is not quick and lively in his movements. Great judgment, too, is required in fulfilling the duties of the position. Above all things, he must not be liable to lose his head. He can do more harm by a wild throw to first base than any other fielder, for the simple reason that if he sends the ball out of the reach of first base- man he is sending it right away out of the field of play. Third Baseman — The position of third baseman involves duties quite as onerous as those of first and second baseman or short stop. In nearly every respect he resembles them. In catching, throwing, fielding, and in the exerci.se of good judgment he must excel. He must be more on the alert, if anything, than the other in-fielders, for the catcher and pitcher cannot give him warning of their intention to throw to him to catch a base-runner who has ventured too far from his base. Consequently he must be always on the qui vive. His fielding must be particularly good, as on it will frequently depend the increasing of the enemy's score. The third baseman with short stop and first and second basemen constitute what is known as the in-field. They must all be in complete accord, and each must know the peculiarities of the others' play. They must work in harmony, and with true dependence on one another. By means of this thorough concord and knowledge of each other's ways many brilliant plays may be brought off. In playing third base the aspirant to Baseball honours must be careful in his throwing. Let him before throwing collect his wits, and when he does throw, let the ball travel low rather than high, for a low ball can be stopped if not caught, whereas a ball over- head is calculated to give the opposing team a base or two. Let the third baseman be ener- getic and active. Indifferent players seldom trouble themselves to field a ball that does not actually come within their province, but a good player does not wait to consider whether the ball is in his district or not. He goes after it and, if it is fielded by another in-fielder, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he is on the spot to rectify any error his brother player may make. The Out-fielders — Left, right and centre field constitute the out-field, and the occupants of these positions should be equal in their qualifications. Each should be able to throw well. A good long throw is anywhere in the neighbourhood of eighty-five or ninety yards. The out-fielders should not occupy one position all the time. They must use their discretion and judgment. It would be silly to be as far out for the poor hitter as for the heavy slogger. They must study, too, the peculiarities of the batsman. One may have a habit of hitting always in the direction of left field. Another may have a penchant for driving the ball to the other side of the field. A third may have a knack of batting the ball close to the foul lines. A fourth may bat the pitcher's deliveries just over second baseman's head. All these details must be attended to. The out-fielders, too, must be good judges of fly-balls. The ground balls are generally attended to by the in-fielders. In judging fly-balls it is always safer to get well out for a long hit, as it is easier to run in to catch the ball than to run out with it A baseball] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 77 and stand a great chance of missing it. When the out-fielders get a ball, they should not hold it an instant. Throw it at once into the in- field, for a man can never be put out whilst the ball is sojourning in the out-field. Let the novice remember this. No doubt he will feel perplexed at times as to where he should throw. Don't wait. Throw it somewhere into the in-field. Left Fielder — The player occupying this position will find that the majority of the out- field hits are made to his part. Consequently he must not be lazy. Because he has not had a ball for some time he must not on that account go to sleep. A very great number of batsmen are dismissed by being caught by the left fielder. He must then be a good catcher, and he should also be a good runner. Speed is a great help in left field, for the simple reason that often he has to travel from right out in the distance, to take a catch batted well over third baseman's head. He must be ready, too, to back up third baseman and short stop, for if the ball passes them, he must be behind them to avert serious consequences. Good judgment is necessary to calculate, immediately the ball leaves the bat, where it is likely to travel, and at what speed it is going. If his judgment tells him that the ball will not reach him on the fly, he must not wait for it to roll to him. No, he must run to meet it ; and this remark applies to the other out-fielders. Centre Fielder — This player should act in support of the second baseman. If he gives him good backing up there is no saying what an amount of good he can do for his side. He gives the catcher confidence to throw to cut off a runner, since he knows that even if the ball elude second baseman the centre fielder will be behind him to save serious results. If he plays his position well, he deters the base-runner from trying to steal from first to second base. Good eye and quick judgment are as necessary for him as for left fielder, and like all men in responsible positions — and every position in Baseball is responsible — he must reason for himself. In conjunction with second baseman, if he but use his intellect, he can bring off some very tricky plays. Right Fielder — The hints given to left and centre fielders apply equally to this position. Sure eye and sure hands for catches, an intellect quick to discern the best possible thing to be done in all circumstances, and a wakefulness to his responsibility of securing the balls that manage to get by the first baseman into the out- field are requisite. So I finish with the fielders. Let us now briefly give a little consideration to the batsman. The Batsman — To become a good bats- man, it is in Baseball as in Cricket. The player must have confidence, nerve, and decision. Of course a good eye is a sine qua non. The bats- man, to be a batsman, must keep in constant practice. When at the bat he must study points. He is not the good batsman who, put- ting every bit of brute strength into his hits, plays purely for applause from the spectators. Such a batsman is no use to his side. Every time he drives the ball away out into the distance, he is giving away a chance for his side, for there are fielders waiting to catch the ball as it descends. The batsman who is of use to his side is the one who strives to place the ball. If he sees an opening between first and second base, he will endeavout to hit the ball in that direction. Or he will strive to drop one just over second baseman's head. At times he will sacri- fice his own chance so that some one else on the side may obtain a run or even advance a base. Batting in Baseball is different from batting in Cricket. To begin with, in England's national The Batsman. game a bat is used ; in America's national pastime a club, by no means so broad as the cricket bat, is brought into requisition. In Cricket the ball is bowled and usually touches the ground before reaching the batsman. In Baseball the ball is pitched like a full toss. However, cricketers as a rule will find that they will soon pick up the knack of using the club to advantage. Immediately the batsman hits a fair ball, he endeavours to get to first base. If he gets there without being caught, or before the ball can be sent to first baseman in time to retire him, he at once begins scheming how he is to reach second base in safety. He may get there on a safe hit made by the succeeding batsman or he may steal second ; that is, that either when the pitcher is off his guard or when he is actually delivering the ball, he makes a dash for second base and arrives there before he can be put out. When he succeeds in making the tour of the bases the run is scored. 78 THE ENCVCLOP.'EDIA OF SPORT [liASEM.l If you consult the diagram you will find I have treated of all the figures except the F. L. (F'oul Line) and C. B. (Coacher'.s Box). I shall now proceed to describe them. The Foul Line — Cricketers who have never seen the game played wonder how so few runs are scored when we have but nine fielders. The rea.son is very simple. The beautiful cuts through the slips and hits to leg are absolutely useless in Baseball. Every ball, to be of any use, must be hit inside the foul line. When it is hit outside the line it counts for nothing, unless one of the opposing team catch it, and then the batsman is out, provided the man who catches it is not within ten feet of the home- plate. Should however the opposing catcher catch the ball within ten feet of the home-plate a strike is recorded against the batsman. The Coacher — In the diagram C. B. means the Coacher's Box. A coacher in Baseball is a member of the side at the bat, and it is his object to assist and direct the base-runner. A\'hen the runner has not to be worrying him- self as to where the ball has travelled to, he can concentrate all his thoughts on whatever his coach bids him do. The base-runner must put implicit trust in him. He has not to think for himself. He has not to decide when to steal a base, and when to slide. His men- tor's word is law. Immediately the coacher says, " Go ! " the runner must not for the frac- tion of a second stop to consider. His business is to obey. He will be the more ready to do this if he recollects that it is highly improbable that the coacher, being one of his own side, would counsel any act which would be detri- mental to their common interest. Implicit trust must be placed in the coacher. It must not be imagined, however, that any- body can coach. Such is far from the case. The coacher, like the poet, is born, not made. One might think that the players of most ex- perience would be the best advisers of the base-runner. That is a fallacy. It is the man of quick wit and judgment, the one who evinces a thorough grasp of the points of play, the one who is gifted with the faculty of quick yet sound reasoning that is best adapted for the post. He must, moreover, be gifted with a ready wit, for by a humorous remark or a quaint saying he will often distract the attention of the fielder, and that is precisely what he wants, as he can score off the enemy's unpreparedness. In coaching, rude and offensive language must be strictly tabooed, and all remarks must be addressed to the base-runner. \\'hile doing this, the coacher is often able, if he have tact, to ad- dress other people through the man whom he counsels. A humorous coacher, whilst his humour serves its purpose in increasing the chances of his side, is highly diverting to the spectators, and adds life and zest to the game. Abuse of the privilege would soon render the coacher's oftice a nuisance, but the proper use of it adds a feature to the game, which is entertaining to all, and of the utmost service to a team. I must not forget to mention the necessity ot the base-runner and coachers thoroughly under- standing how to receive a command and how to interpret it. There must be a code of voice inflections on the part of the coacher, letting the runner know when he is to obey and when he is to pay no attention to what is merely " bluff." The coacher may shout " Go ! " over and over again, but the runner will pay no attention to the injunction, for he knows it is only used to fool the fielders, since the proper intonation or inflection of the voice was not used. When, however, " Go 1 " is shouted in the stipulated tone, he must not hesitate the fraction of a second in obe\ing the word of command. The Umpire — As in Cricket, so in Baseball, the position of umpire is most responsible, and at the same time somewhat thankless. The umpire is the man who must be obe)"ed. His every word is law, and no player may ques- tion his decision. True, the captain of a team, and the captain only, may suggest that he has erred in the interpretation of a rule, but he must do so in a thoroughly respectful fashion. The umpire, to fill the position with honour, must be experienced in the rules of the game, quick to read character, that he may know the man who is " bluffing," and the one who appeals for a decision on honest conviction. He must, moreover, be quick in his decisions and pre- pared to stand by them when once made. The duties of the umpire are very clearly laid down in the rules, and so I shall not enlarge upon them. This I will sa)-, — when an umpire is to be chosen, let him be such a one as possesses the confidence of the players, and is possessed of an equable temper and disposition. In fact the qualifications that go to constitute a good umpire in Cricket or Football, are requisite for the one who would excel in the same line in Baseball. Concluding Remarks — It can scarcely be said that in the present article I have given a thorough exposition of Baseball. This short treatise must serve but as a foundation upon which the reader, by help of the rules, by witnessing Baseball games, and by questioning the players on the points of which he is doubt- ful, may build the edifice of his own Baseball reputation. There are many inducements to lead the average Englishman to embrace the American sport. The game is admirably adapted to the requirements of the average professional man or artisan, as it does not call for a great sacrifice of time, inasmuch as the game does not last longer than two hours and a half. But what an amount of exercise is crowded into that short space of time 1 Every one is busy. Every one is on the move. There is no room for the lazv baseball] THE encyclop.4;dia of sport 79 man. Everybody is given a chance to excel both at the bat and in the field. In Cricket, should you get out first ball, your chance is gone, in all probability, of distinguishing yourself at the bat for that day. It is not so in Baseball. As nine innings are played you have five or six chances more of retrieving your honour. From the sportsman's point of view, Baseball should stand ahead of most manly games. It is open to everybody to learn it and become speedily efficient. Application and diligence are the' only requirements. With them the average athlete will, after a game or two, learn every detail ; and when he has taken to Baseball I can safely say that he will not be in a hurry to desert it. R. G. Knowles. Glossary. Assist — Any fielder co-operating witli another or othi.Ts in retiring a base-runner is credited witli an assist. Balk — Wlien a pitcher, with a view to deceiving the batsman, makes a motion as if to pitch the ball to him, and fails to do so, the umpire must declare a balk. Ball — A pitched ball, not passing over the home- plate at an altitude not higher than the batman's shoulder nor lower than his knee, must be declared a ball, provided the batsman does not strike at it. Base Hit — Any ball so hit that, provided an error has not been made, it cannot be fielded in time to pre- vent the batsman from reaching his base. Base on Balls — Is a base accorded the batsman when the pitcher has delivered four balls. Batsman's Box — The space on either side of the home-plate in which the l)atsman must stand. Battery — The pitcher and catcher. Block Ball — A ball in play touched by a spectator or by one of the batting side when not actively engaged in the game. Bunt Hit — A ball deliberately batted so slowly to the in-field that it cannot be fielded in time to put out the base-runner. Coacher's Box — The space in foul territory near first and third base devoted to the coacher. Dead Ball — .\ ball delivered by the pitcher which, when it has not been struck at, touches any part of the batsman's person or clothing, or any part of the umpire's person or clothing, while on foul ground, without first passing the catcher. Diamond — The ground is so called on account of its sliape. Double Play— A play in which the ball is handled quickly enough to retire two men. Earned Run — When the round of the bases is made without the help of a fielder's error, before the side can be retired, the run is "earned." Error — Is the mistake of a fielder which helps the opposing side. Fair Ball— A ball passing over the home-plate not higher than the batsman's shoulder, nor lower than his knee. Fair Hit — A ball batted within the foul lines and remaining in that territory till it has passed first and third bases, or a ball batted outside the foul lines which rolls inside before passing first or third base. Fly Ball — A ball batted into the air. Forced Out — When a base-runner is compelled to make room for his successor and is touched by the ball held by a fielder or cannot reach the next base as soon as the fielder holding the ball. Foul Ball — A ball batted into foul ground, except in the case of a foul tip. Foul Lines — The lines running from the home-plate through first and third bases to the extremity of the field. Foul Strike — A ball batted by the batsman out of position or a ball bunted which rolls into foul ground. Foul Tip — A foul hit not rising above the batsman's head and caught by the catcher within ten feet of the plate. Home Run — A complete circuit of the bases made on a hit without the help of a fielder's error. In-field — P'irst, second and third basemen and short stop. Out-field — Right, centre, and left fielders. Passed Ball — .\ pitched ball which passes the catcher and allows the base-runner to advance a base. Plate — The home base. Pitcher's Box — The plate on which the pitcher must have one foot when delivering a ball to the batsman. Sacrifice Hit — When the batsman purposely hits a ball in such a way that he is put out, with the view of advancing a base-runner. Shut Out — An innings in which a side does not score a run. Slide— When the base-runner to avoid being put out slides feet or head first to a base. Stolen Base — A base obtained by a runner without help from a hit by a batsman. Strike— When the batsman tries and fails to hit a ball delivered bv a pitcher or does not strike at a fair ball. Strike Out — .\ batsman strikes out when three strikes have been called upon him. Triple Play — A play in which the ball is handled quickly enough to retire three men. Wild Pitch — A ball pitched out of the reach of the catcher, which allows a base-i'unner to ad\ance a base or bases. Wild Throw — A ball thrown out of reach of the fielder to whom it was directed. .Simplified Rules. 1. Each side consists of nine players. 2. An innings is complete when three men on the batting side are out. Three men being out constitutes an innings. 3. A game consists of nine innings played by each side. 4. The players go to the bat in regular order : the first man on the list of his side being the first man to bat in the first innings. Afterwards the first batsman in an innings is the one next on the list to the third batsman out in the previous innings. But, if a base-runner is the third man retired, and this occurs while a man is at bat, such batsman shall bat first in the succeeding innings. 5. The batsman must not step out of his position, known as the batsman's box, and must strike at every ball delivered by the pitcher that crosses the plate be- tween the knee and the shoulder. 6. If the batsman fails to strike at a good ball so delivered, the umpire mirst call *' One strike.' 7. If the batsman strikes at any ball, whether it be a good or bad one, and fails to hit it, the umpire must call " One strike." 8. When the umpire has called "Three strikes," the batsman is out, providing the ball constituting the third strike be caught by the catcher before it touches the ground. If the catcher fails to hold the ball, the batsman has an opportunity of reaching first base, but the catcher may recover the ball and intercept the base-runner by throwing it to firat base. If the ball reaches the base before the runner, he is out. 9. If the pitcher delivers a ball which does not pass across the plate between the Katsman's knee and shoulder, the umpire must call " One ball." 10. If the umpire calls four balls, the batsman is en- titled to his first base. 11. If the batsman hits the ball so that it falls outside So THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT [basebali. the foul lines, it is a foul hit, and docs not count, pro- vided that if a fielder catches it before it touches the ground, the batsman is out. 12. If the batsman hits the ball so that it {.\\h inside the foul lines, it is a fair hit. Any ball hit to ground inside the foul lines is a fair hit, unless it should roll outside the foul lines before reaching first or third base, as the case may be. Any ball hit to ground outside the foul lines which rolls inside the foul lines before reaching first or third base, as the case may be, is a fair hit. 13. The batsman becomes a base-runner immediately he has made a fair hit ; immediately after four balls have been called by the umpire ; immediately after three strikes have been called by the umpire, provided that the catcher has not held the ball at thu'd strike, .as provided in Rule 8 ; if any part of his person be hit by a ball de- livered by the pitcher, unless the hit be upon the fore- arm ; and immediately after the pitcher has illegally delivered a ball. The batsman is out : — 14. If he fails to take his position at the bat in his order of batting. 15. If he fails to take such position within one minute after the umpire has called for the batsman. 16. If he makes a foul strike. To make a foul strike is to hit the ball when not standing in the batsman's bo.s-, as provided in Rule 5. 17. If he attempts to hinder the catcher from fielding or throwing the b.all. iS. If, while the first base be occupied by a base- runner, three strikes be called on him by the umpire, except when two men are already out. 19. If, while attempting a third strike, the ball touches any part of his person. 20. If, after two strikes have been called, the batsman obviously attempts to make a foul strike. 21. If the ball struck by him, whether in a fair or foul hit, be caught before touching the ground. 22. If the catcher catches the ball at third strike before it touches the ground. 23. If, after he has made a fair hit, or after the third strike (provided in the latter case that the catcher has not caught the ball before it touches the ground) he is touched by the ball in the hands of a fielder before he has reached the first base. 24. If, after he has made a fair hit, or after the third strike, as mentioned in the preceding rule, the ball is securely held by a fielder who is touching the first base with any part of his person. 25. If, in running the last half of the distance from home-plate to first base, he runs outside the three-foot line, unless to avoid a fielder attempting to field the ball. The batsman is entitled, without being put out, to a base : — 26. When the umpire has called four balls. 27. If the umpire has awarded a base to a succeeding batsman, and the base-runner is thereby forced to vacate the base held by him. 28. If the umpire calls a balk. 29. If the ball, delivered by the pitcher, passes the catcher and touches the umpire or any fence or building within ninety feet of the home plate. 30. If, upon a fair hit, the ball strikes the person of the umpire standing upon fair ground. 31. If the fielder stops or catches a batted ball with his hat or any part of his dress. The base-runner must return to his base, and is entitled to do so without being put out : — 32. If the umpire declares a foul hit. 33. If the umpire declares a foul strike. 34. If the umpire declares a dead ball. The base-runner is out : — 35. If, in running from first to second base, from second to third base, or from third base to home plate, he runs more than three feet from a direct line between such bases, to avoid being touched by the ball in the hands of a fielder. 36. If he in any way obstructs a fielder attempting to field the ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball. 37. If, while the ball is in play, he is touched with the ball in the hands of a fielder, unless some part of his person is touching a base he is entitled to occupy. The ball must be held by the fielder while touching him. In running to first base, he may overrun the base, and will be allowed to return to it without being put out for being off his base. Provided he must return at once and re- touch the base, and afterwards he may be put out as at any other base. And if, after overrunning first base, he should attempt to run to second base or should turn to the left as though about to do so, he may be put out To return to and retouch an overrun base, the runner must turn to the right. 38. If he should start to run on a fly ball and he is touched with the ball after it is caught before he has re- turned to his base. The base-runner must not run on a fly ball until it has been momentarily held by a fielder. .\ fly ball is a ball caught either in fair or foul territory before it touches the ground. 39. If he is put out when forced to vacate his base under the following circumstances : when the batsman becomes a base-runner, the players occupying the bases in advance of him must vacate those bases in favour of the batsman or succeeding base-runner, and cannot re- turn to such bases unless the batsman is put out at first base. Then they have the privilege of returning to their bases. 40. If he is hit by a batted ball before it touches a fielder. 41. If, when running bases or returning to a base, he fails to touch each intervening base. 42. If, when the umpire calls "play" after any sus- pension of a game, he fails to return to and retouch the base he occupied when "time" was called. 43. -A. run is scored by a base-runner running one hundred and twenty yards and touching first base, second base, third base and home plate in succession. Bibliography — T/ie Art of Pitching and Fielding: The Art of Batting and Base Running, H. Chadwick (New York, 1886); Baseball Guide for 1876, R. M. De Witt ; Baseball (Oval Series, 1S96), R. G. Knowles and R. Morton; A'ai^A;//, J. M.Ward (Philadelphia, 1888). BASKET-BALL— [&« University Con- tests.] BASS, BLACK— There are two species of Black Bass, the small-mouthed Bass {Microp- feri/s dolomieit, Lace'pede) and the large-mouthed Bass {Aficropteriis salmoides, Lacepede). The methods of angling for them are the same. Their appearance and habits are similar, though the small-mouthed Bass prefers swift and rocky streams, while the large-mouth is more at home in lacustrine waters and sluggish streams. When inhabiting the same waters their game qualities are equal, though the small-mouth in swift streams is more active than the large-mouth in still waters. In Bngland^Several years ago, the small- mouthed Bass was placed in several small lakes in England, but the e-\periment was a failure, as it is not suited to such waters. Had the large- mouthed been substituted, the broads and lakes of England might now be teeming with one of the gamest fish. There exists an unwarranted prejudice against the Black Bass among British anglers which originated (as my friend Mr. R. B. Marston informed me) through the over-zealous assertions of the late George Sheppard Page and Professor bass] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT G. Brown Goode at a meeting of British anglers during the Fisheries Exhibition in 1883. In their efforts to convince their auditors of the grand game qualities of the Black Bass, they un- wittingly conveyed the impression that it was a very predatory and voracious fish, as bad as the Pike, if not worse. This idea, of course, is entirely erroneous. The Black Bass is not at all a piscivorous fish in the true meaning of the term. The character of a fish's teeth indicates its food. The Pike, having sharp, conical teeth, is pre-eminently piscivorous, as such teeth imply. .So, in a measure, is the Brown Trout, which has sharp, conical teeth, though not so numerous or stron as those of the Pike. Food. — On the other hand, the Black Bass has villiform or brush-like teeth, much like the surface of a tooth-brush, which are incapable of wounding or cutting : such teeth indicate a diet of crustaceans and insects. As a. matter of fact, spawn-eating proclivities of the intruder. It astonishes the American angler to learn that the English are so prejudiced against the Black Bass, although tolerating such a marauding fish as the Pike, to say nothing of spawn-eaters like the Carp, Tench, Dace, Perch, &c. Game Qualities — The Black Bass is a per- coid fish and much higher in the scheme of evolution than the Salmon or Trout, and in game qualities is their peer — " Inch for inch, and pound for pound he is the gamest fish that swims." " He has the arrowy rush and vigour of the Trout, the untiring strength and bold leap of the Salmon, while he has a system of fighting tactics peculiarly his own." These words seem to me, after twenty-five years' ex- perience, as true as ever. Distribution — The Black Bass is capable of a much wider geographical distribution than most other game fish. In America, its range ex- Black Bass. (By kind permission of the Editor of Potest ami Stream). seventy-five per-cent. of the natural food of the Black Bass consists of crayfish, but like all car- nivorous fishes, the Bass occasionally swallows small fish, frogs, &c., especially if they are found in a disabled condition ; and this explains why a minnow proves a good bait, and is eagerly taken by a Black Bass when he may ignore a school of lively minnows swimming near him. Those of the school are hard to catch, while the one on the hook is easily captured. There are countless small lakes in America where the Black Bass, Trout, and many other species of fishes have co-existed from time im- memorial, showing conclusively that the Black Bass is not the enemy of other fishes, and does not militate against their increase in the same waters, even when of an isolated character. On the contrary, the Black Bass, under such circum- stances, does not multiply so rapidly as the other species, notwithstanding that it guards its eggs and young. The unfortunate introduction of the German Carp in American waters has been very disastrous to the Black Bass, owing to the tends through twenty-five degrees of latitude and thirty degrees of longitude, which shows that it can withstand very great variations of temperature and vicissitudes of aquatic life. In Germany its introduction has been very successful, especially that of the large-mouthed Bass. It has also been transplanted to France, the Netherlands, and other countries. Fly-Fishing — The methods of angling for Black Bass are fly-fishing, minnow-casting, still- fishing, and trolling. Fly-fishing, of course, comes first in importance. The Black Bass rises to the artificial fly as eagerly as the Salmon or Trout, and perhaps under more varying con- ditions. While it has the boldness of either, it is more wary and intelligent, and must be fished for with corresponding caution, for inasmuch as it is only in comparatively shallow water that any fish rises to the fly, it follows that all due caution must be exercised to keep out of its sight. If fishing from a boat, the angler .should keep in deep water and cast toward the shallows or shore. If fishing from the bank, he should 82 THE ENCVCr,0P.4';i)IA OF SPORT [bass stand well back from the shore and make long casts, or be screened from observation by trees, bushes, &c. If wading, which is the preferable plan, he may fish either up or down stream, but fishing downstream is preferred in America, par- ticularly in swift streams, as the line is thereby always straight and taut, and a more natural appearance is given to the fly. The best time for fly-fishing for Black Bass is late in the afternoon, toward sunset, and during twilight. The early morning hours are also favourable ; but, except on very dark, cloudy days, the angler will catch nothing for his pains during the hours of mid-day. The reason for this is that all fishes feed mostly at night, and in shallow water : consequently, they are found in such situations at the times mentioned, approaching or departing from their feeding grounds. The method of casting is about the same in vogue for wet-fly fishing for Trout. One or two flies may be used in the cast. The dropper, or hand-fly, should be three or four feet above the stretcher, or tail-fly. The leader, or casting line, should be from six to nine feet of good, round, single gut. Almost any good " general " Trout fly of large size, tied on hooks No. 4 to 7, will answer for Black Bass. The Coachman, Red Ibis, Professor, Grizzly King, Alexandra, Mon- treal, &c., and small Silver Doctor are all good flies, as also the various hackles (Palmers), if made large and bushy. Among the best flies used in America are my Polka, Henshall, and Oriole. Moderately long casts, about fifty feet, should be employed for Black Bass fishing, though if there should be a brisk breeze with ruffled water, somewhat shorter casts will answer. The line should be always straight and taut. After the cast is made the flies should be gently roved or drawn from side to side with jerky or tremulous motions, to simulate the movements of a natural fly. They should be permitted to sink fre- quently for several inches, or a foot, in likely- looking places, especially in lake or pond fishing. The angler should strike upon sight or touch : that is, he should instantly strike upon feeling the slightest touch of the fish, or upon seeing its swirl. Striking is merely a turn of the wrist with a taut line, which is sufficient to set the hook. After the fish is hooked, he should be kept on a bent rod and taut line, never under any circumstances having slack line. When the Bass leaps from the water, which he may do half a dozen times before he is in the landing- net, the straightening of the bent rod is sufficient to keep the line taut while he is in the air, but he should be followed intb the water by slightly lowering the tip, if necessary, to prevent the hook from tearing out with the weight, and the instant he reaches the water he should again feel the spring of the rod. He should be reeled into close quarters as soon as possible, and kept near the surface of the water. The spring of the rod will eventually cause him to turn on his side, when he should be taken into the landing- net. The most suitable rod is ten feet three inches long, and weighs not more than eight ounces. Any good Trout fly-rod of about this description will answer. The line and click-reel ordinarily used for Trout fishing do very well for Black Bass fishing. Minnow-Fishing — Casting the minnow for Black Bass is a very artistic mode of fishing. It requires special tools and tackle. In America the short, single-handed rod known as the " Henshall '' rod is universally employed. It is eight feet three inches long, and weighs eight ounces for an ash and lancewood, or green- heart rod, or seven and a half ounces for a split bamboo. It is somewhat stiffer than a Trout fly-rod, but pliable enough for all the emergencies of playing a fish. A first-class multiplying reel is a sine qua )ion, as the bait is cast from the reel. A braided line of undressed silk of the smallest calibre should be used. Twisted lines kink too much for casting. A leader, or casting-line of gut, is not required, the swelled hook being attached directly to the reel- line by a small brass swivel. A sinker of the smallest size may also be affixed, if necessary. The minnow, from two to four inches in length, is hooked through the lips, and reeled up to within a foot or two of the tip of the rod, when it is cast to the left or right for a distance of from sevent)--five to one hundred and fifty feet, which is easily done with the tackle men- tioned, and a little practice. The cast is not made over-hand or over-head as in fly-fishing, but under-handed — that is, from below upward — the tip of the rod being a foot or two from the ground or water at the beginning of the cast. The running of the reel must be controlled by the thumb, which should maintain a gentle, but uniform, pressure upon the spool to prevent over-running or backlashing, and when the bait reaches the desired spot the thumb stops the reel by a stronger pressure. The bait is allowed to swim about, if lively, and the line slowly reeled in, giving a natural, swimming motion to the minnow ; a new cast is then made in another direction. The playing and landing of the Bass is the same as in fly-fishing. Still - Fishing — Still-fishing is about the same as Perch fishing in England, and the best Perch tools and tackle may be employed, when of sufficient strength. A float may be used, though it is generally dispensed with in America, except w-here the bottom is grassy or mossy. Usually still fishing is practised from an anchored boat. Any time of day will answer for still-fish- ing or minnow-casting, though the Bass will be found in deeper water during the middle of the dav. bear-shooting] THE ENCVCLOP.EDIA OF SPORT 83 Trolling — Trolling is practised with a stifler rod than that for minnow-casting or still-fishing, and a somewhat larger line — one of flax will answer — about the size used for large Perch. The bait may be a large minnow, hooked through the lips, or a trolling spoon or spinner of small size. One hook is all-sufficient. A minnow, hooked through the lips with a single hook, presents a more natural appearance and is far more effective than the most approved spinning-tackle, with its forbidding arra}- of flying hooks. Trolling is practised from a boat, which is propelled over the feeding-grounds at a speed varying according to local conditions. From fifty to one hundred and fifty feet of line are let out from the reel. The Bass hooks itself when it strikes. J AMES A. HeNSHALI,. BASS, SEA (Lalmi.x ////us). [Set- Sea- Fishing.] Measurements, etc. — Length of head yi lo 4, of caudal fin 5J, height of body 4i 104^, in the total length. £ye — diameter 4^ to 5 (or even proportionately larger. in very small examples) in the ienglh of the head, ij to lA diameters from the end of the snout, and i J apart. Poste- rior edge of the preopercle strongly serrated, the largest tooth being at its rounded angle, and three more for- w.ardly directed along its lower limb. Two opercular spines, the rest of the bones of the head unarmed. Jaws of about the same length anteriorly ; the maxilla reaches to beneath the first, third, or middle of the orbit. Nostrils patent. Tee/// — villiform in the jaws, the outer row in the upper somewhat larger than the rest : in an almost crescentic spot on the vomer, in a band on the palatines, and also at the base of the tongue. Fn/s — occasionally the first spine in the anterior dorsal fin is absent, the first two are short, the third two-thirds the length of the fourth, which is equal to the two succeeding which are the highest and slightly exceed the length of the rays of the second dorsal. Third anal spine slightly longer than the second. Caudal forked. Sca/es — ctenoid. Latera/-/ii/c — nearly straight, passing from the upper edge of the opercle to the centre of the base of the caudal fin. Iiitesliiies — five short coecal appendages. Co/oi/rs — gray on the back, becoming silvery on the sides and beneath. A dark spot at the upper half or two-thirds of the opercle, darkest posteriorly. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins stained with gray externally ; pectorals and ventrals yellowish- white. The young have usually some fine dark spots scattered over the body. Day, Fis/tcs of Great Britain ai/d Ireland, vol. i. p. g. BEAGLES. \Sec Dogs.] BEAGLING. [See Hunting.] BEAR-SHOOTING— AMERICA, NORTH-^Bears are the most widely distributed of all North American big game, and may be encountered at any moment almost anywhere in the Rockies. There are three species of Bear in North America, the Grizzly ( Ursus //t>rri/)i/is), to which the following notes chiefly apply, the Black Bear ( U. aii/ericani/s), a much smaller and less formidable beast, and the Polar ( U. ii/ar///ii///s) \See Beak, Polar]. The so-called Brown Bear of North America is a variety only, though many sportsmen insist on regarding it as a distinct species. Grizzly Bears are not nowadays to be found east of the Rockies, and even in that range there is sometimes considerable difficulty in procuring a trophy. They constantly change their quarters ac- cording to where the best food supply is to be found. In the early spring, when the skunk cabbage shoots forth its handsome yellow flower, Bears are high up the mountain sides digging at the roots. Later on, when putrid salmon strew the river banks, they will be found revelling in a nauseous meal. Where salmon do not exist, they will pick up a living on beetles and other insects until the berries ripen in the fall, when they claw down the luscious fruit and lay on their supply of fat preparatory to hibernating. Baiting — Of the various modes of hunting Bears, by far the most successful and pleasant is baiting for them. This can, however, only be accomplished in a country plentiful in deer ; which should be killed and left in suitable places, care being taken to select spots which the sportsman can easily approach unperceived. Bears make little use of their eyes, but are keen-scented, quick of hearing, and surprisingly active. The bait must be inspected within two or three days, and should it be found partially eaten or buried, the hunter should lie in wait at dawn or nightfall for the Bear, taking care to approach up-wind and noiselessly. In places where Bears have been much hunted, they be- come nocturnal in their habits, but otherwise they frequently wander abroad during the day- time. A wounded or seemingly dead Bear shoul I be approached with caution ; for even when shot through the heart, it can still prove dan- gerous at close quarters. Vulnerable Points — Through the neck, if it be sufificiently exposed, is the best shot ; otherwise spine, shoulder, or head is good enough. If, as sometimes happens, the hunter comes upon a grizzly w-ith cubs, let him pay due atten- tion to the old Bear before meddling with the cubs. Hunting with Dogs — Another mode of hunting Bears is with well-trained dogs, which quickly "tree" the black Bear, while a grizzly, being unable to climb, will be held at bay until the sportsman comes up. In Canoes — On certain rivers whose banks are composed of mud flats, or fringed with berry-bearing bushes. Bears are hunted in canoes which are paddled noiselessly in and out of every irregularity of the bank, until either a Bear is seen grubbing in the mud or eating 84 THE ENCVCLOr.]:J)]A OF SPORT [bear-shooting dead salmon, or can be heard dragging down berries. If a clear view of him cannot be obtained, there is nothing for it but to wait patiently until he appears, for the underwood in districts usually haunted by Bears is so dense that to approach unheard would be impossible. Choice of Ground, &c. — The best furred Bears come from the north coast of British Columbia and up the Skeena river, where they are mostly killed in May just after leaving the cache, when the fur is at its prime. Bears are in the finest condition from -Septem- ber to May, according to climate ; after the end of May the wool falls out, the long hairs slip, and the pelt becomes valueless until the end of September. The mode of hunting is most arduous and uncomfortable. While the snow is still deep in the timber, but rapidly melting on the moun- tain side, a likely valley must be sought, the sides of which rise almost perpendicular in this country. Here, on swampy ground surrounded by patches of snow, the tent must be pitched and no fire lighted. Morning and evening the hunter scans the steep rocky sides of the valley or canon until high up he spies a bear. Care- fully locating it, he starts on a perilous climb of an hours duration, and is usually unable to see the Bear at the end of it. Sometimes from a spot below he may see as many as seven Bears, but on getting close to them, all are hidden by great boulders of rock. If the sun shines, it becomes too dangerous for climbing ; warning avalanches come crashing down, and if one does not fall on a man, his weight is sufficient to start another. This class of hunting is suitable only for Indians. Bears' caches, as they call the holes wherein they spend the winter in a more or less torpid condition from about December to April or May, are often discovered during the summer, and if the exact spot can be found when deeply covered with snow it is almost certain to contain a Beai ; here, too, the she-bear gives birth to her young. The largest Bear in the world, excepting the Polar Bear, inhabits Alaska, and does not appear to have received due attention from any natural- ist. It differs somewhat from the grizzly in uniformity of colour and in the shape of its claws, and is said to be plentiful in the dense country around Mount Elias. A '500 Express is, taken all round, the finest weapon for the work. No one who can handle a rifle should require to give his Bear more than one bullet. The grizzly being an animal of uncertain temper, it is well to reserve the second barrel, in case of accidents. J. Turner Turner. INDIA— The Sloth Bear (Meliirsits hiMatiis) is the only species found throughout India to the south of the Himalayas. It is common in the hill ranges and jungles, more especially where the ground is rocky. Its habits are nocturnal ; during the day it lies up in thick jungle or in caves and recesses among the rocks. It may occasionally be met with by sportsmen out stalking early in the morning or late in the afternoon ; but as a rule, except when driven out in the course of a beat, it will not be observed during the day. Its food consists of the jungle fruits, ants, beetles, and other insects, and it is also fond of honey, and climbs the forest trees to procure the honeycombs which hang from the boughs. Instances have been known of its eating flesh, but they are rare. Like all wild animals it avoids man, but may attack when suddenly come upon ; and many natives are mauled by bears that they have disturbed. In a beat, bears coming out of holes in the rocks at the last moment, when the beat is close to them, often charge the beaters. On the whole, however, this bear is by no means a dangerous animal before it has been fired at and wounded, but when wounded and followed up, it will often charge. The writer discredits the popular idea that the bear rises on its hind legs and hugs its adversary. He has never seen a charging bear rise on its hind legs. Bears can stand erect, and do so to look about them in long grass or jungle that they cannot see over on all-fours. The soles of their feet leave a print not unlike that of a child's foot. Their cylindrical bones resemble the same bones in a human skele- ton more closely than those of most other animals ; and this formation enables them to assume the erect position. Their claws are long, and with them they dig up the ground for roots, ants, and termites, and turn over stones to get the beetles and insects that lodge there. The female has generally two cubs, sometimes three, which remain with her till nearly full- grown. When young, she carries them on her back. In a beat, a she-bear will often be seen galloping along with her cubs hanging on to her. The cub clings to the long hair on her shoulders with his fore-legs, the hind-legs hang- ing down her side well clear of the ground. The " Indian Black Bear," as it is also called, has long and shaggy hair, especially on the top of the shoulders ; and on the breast is a large yellowish crescent-shaped mark. The muzzle is of a dirty white. As the hair is very coarse, an Indian bear's skin is not of much value as a trophy. Bears in India are not usually made a special object of sport. They are generally shot when men are out tiger-shooting — on days when no tigers are abroad. A chance beat on suitable ground often produces a bear or two. Bears are turned out in the course of a beat for tiger, but on such occasions they are not fired at. They are driven in the same way as all large > bear-shooting] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 85 game has to be driven in India. A crowd of beaters are collected from the nearest villages, a few of whom have tom-toms and other native musical instruments, useful not only in waking up the animals and keeping them moving, but also in keeping the beaters in line. A large number of stops ha\-e to be placed in trees on either side of the intended drive to prevent the animal breaking out at the side. The sportsman is placed in a tree or on a rock in or deer. The sportsman, walking through the Jungle, sees them by chance and stalks them : but it is no good going out with the special object of stalking bears, as they are not numer- ous enough to make it worth while, so far, ;at least, as the Indian Black Bear is concerned, though it is different with the Himalavan Black Bear and the Brown Bear. Weapon, &c. — Every sportsman has his own fancy as to the best rifle for the 'work. Sr.OTH Beak. A-Jcragc height at shoulder, ift. 6 in. Average length from head to root of tail, s ft. front, and if the drive has been properly planned and carried out (the chief, if not the only, secret of success in this kind of shooting), the animal passes within a few yards, and, whether walking or galloping, affords a very easy shot. Another way of shooting bears is to visit before dayhght the rocks, in which they are known to lie up, and to intercept them as they return from their nocturnal rambles. They are also shot by sportsmen when stalking bison The writer prefers a good double-barrelled ■500 Express to any other rifle for all kinds of soft-skinned big game. It is comparativeh' light, can be quickly manipulated for a running or snap shot, and better shooting, especially with running shots, is made wath it than with a heavy rifle. The shot, if at all properly placed, will certainly kill the animal in a few seconds. The only objection to it is that, in the case of a charge, an Express bullet 86 •RE ENCVCL()PJ':i)]A Ol' SPORT [|!EAR-SHOOT1XG does not give the knockdown blow of a heavier solid bullet, and is therefore less likely to stop the charging animal. On the other hand, the proportion of charges to animals fired at is ex- tremely small, and the weapon that will bring most game down is the preferable one. At any rate, a "500 Express is quite big enough for a bear. In firing at a bear it is necessary to remember that the animal is not so large as it looks, and that a good deal of the apparent size is due to its long hair. All shots should be aimed so as to enter the cavity of the chest. Behind the shoulder, through the point of the shoulder, and in the centre of the yellowish mark on the chest, according to the position of the animal, are the usual shots. Through the back of the skull or neck is also fatal, but the body shot is recommended, the mark being greater. J. I). IXVERARITV. [The other Indian Bears are the Black { U. torquatus) and the Snow, or Isabelline ( U. isabelliniis), both of the Himalayas. The former is chiefly to be found in the forests at the base of the range, where it lives on fruits, acorns, the crops of the villagers, and occasional carrion. It feeds at night and is usually shot as it comes to or leaves its feeding-ground. The Isabelline Bear, on the other hand, is chiefly encountered along the snow-line. Like the foregoing species, it hibernates ; and its food also differs little, except in a preference for roots.] POLAR ( Ursus maritifiiiis). Habitat — It ranges over the whole of the discovered tracts of the North Polar regions, but to a greater extent in the southern part of the Arctic zone than further North. In the expedition of Sir George Nares in 1875-6, no bears were seen north of lat. 79°, although travelling parties reached the latitude of 83° 20. Previous to this, however, bears had been seen, and killed, though not in great quantities, by the United States exploring expedition under Captain Hall as far north as 81° in the locality visited by Nares. They are found in great numbers in Franz Josef land, in Novaya-Zemlya, in Spitzbergen, along the east coast of Greenland, in Davis Straits and Baffin's Bay, and in the numerous channels and inlets leading thence, and they are encoun- tered as far south as Hudson's Strait and Bay, and along the Coast of Labrador. They might, with a fair show of reason, be regarded as acjuatic rather than terrestrial animals ; for not only have they been found on icefloes and icebergs hundreds of miles from any land, but I have come across them swimming unconcernedly in the water with no ice in sight and more than eighty miles from land ! Colour, Size, Habits, &c. — Their colour is sometimes of a very pure white, the tip of the fur in places being tinged slightly with a yellowish hue. Their feet are large, flat and muscular, being armed with formidable claws, and they have very strong and powerful teeth. They do not hug, as is alleged of their con- geners the brown bears, but bite and use their claws freely. It is averred that they never eat their victims until life is extinct, but will play with them as a cat with a mouse. The Polar bear attains a great size. I have myself killed them over 10^ feet in length, and weighing something like half a ton, and they have been known to exceed even 13 feet in length : but this is, I believe, quite an abnormal size, the average being about 7 or 8 feet from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail. They possess enormous strength. On one occasion we disturbed a bear in the enjoyment of his feast on the ice, which jjroved to be the entire body of a white whale, fifteen feet in length and weigh- ing about 3 or 4 tons. This whale was presum- ably found by the bear floating dead in the water, and must have been dragged by the bear on to the ice where we found it. It is difficult to conceive how this could have been accomplished, for it would have taken at least half-a-dozen strong men with ropes and other appliances to have hauled it up on to the ice-floe. The flesh of the bear is eatable when nothing better can be obtained, but it is coarse and rank and terribly tough : the liver, however, is to be avoided as an article of human food, for it has the reputation of producing severe bowel complaints. Their rate of progression over soft snow is wonderful,and when once alarmed,unless stopped by a bullet, they speedily place a .safe distance between themselves and their pursuers. Their powers of locomotion in the water are also marvellous, and it is by no means an uncommon incident to see them plunge after a seal, and pursue it in its own element, but whether with a successful result I have never yet been able satisfactorily to determine. They will watch a seal for hours together on an icefloe, and if unable to approach it without being observed, have been known to slip quietly into the water, and swim towards it under the ice, and then emerge suddenly alongside of their prey, so that if it takes to the water it falls into the clutches of the bear, and if it remains on the ice it soon falls a victim to its powerful adversary. Unless rendered fierce by pain or hunger, they will very rarely attack man. On one occa- sion only can I call to mind their assuming the oflensive, not being themselves attacked or wounded. In that instance, it was a female accompanied by her cub. We first sighted them on a piece of ice, and immediately pulled lustily towards them in our boat. Without, however, waiting for us to come to close quarters the bear, followed by her little one, plunged into the water, swam vigorously towards us, and would certainly have succeeded in getting into bear-shooting] THE ENCVCLOP.'EDIA OF SPORT 87 the boat had not a bullet from my rifle termina- ted her existence. The cub we captured alive and took aboard the ship. It was a most feroci- ous little beast, and was just as wild and un- tameable after it had been on board three months, as on the day of its capture. It sounds somewhat unnatural, but the only food which wounded him badly and caused him to slink away behind some hummocks. Running up somewhat imprudently in my haste to secure his skin, I suddenly came across the beast, which at once rushed at me open-mouthed, when, fortunately for myself, I succeeded at about five yards in planting a bullet in his head, which Average height at shoulder, ^ft. 3 i Polar Beai;. Average length from head to root of tail, Zft. 3 in. it had for the first few days after it came on board was the flesh of its own mother, which it devoured greedily and with apparent enjoyment. On another occasion we had observed a bear reposing apparently asleep on the ice. I proceeded to stalk it, but the noise made by my breaking through a piece of rotten ice disturbed the animal in his slumbers and caused him to get up. Thinking he was con- templating a retreat, I took a hasty and long shot. effectually put a stop to any further develop- ments. These are the only instances that have come under my personal observation, in which the Polar bear has assumed a di.sposition to act on the offensive. On all other occasions they have been exceedingly timorous when scenting danger. The majority of bears that are killed by the vessels engaged in sealing or whaling die THE ENCVCLOP.^iDIA OF SPORT [bear-shooting in the water, for on the approach of a boat, unless they happen to be on an extensive field of ice, they invariably endeavour to effect their escape by swimming. As a boat can be pro- pelled at double the speed at which a bear can swim, the poor beast is very soon overhauled, when a bullet through its brain kills it. This, however, is the poorest of sport ; in fact, it is no sport at all, for the element of danger, which makes the pursuit of savage animals so attractive, is altogether wanting. Pursuing a bear on a large icefloe, or pack, is, however, altogether different. Prudence has then to be exercised in approaching the quarry ; care has to be taken to avoid stepjiing on treacherous pieces of young ice ; and when after, perchance, much trouble and exertion, the hunter succeeds in approaching within the desired range, more skill, care and dexterity are required in handling the rifle in order to ensure killing, than would be the case if the beast were swimming in the water, where it would be comparatively harmless. Vulnerable spot — My experience has taught me that the only vulnerable part of a Polar bear is the forehead. I have known several instances of bears being hit in other parts of the body, and they have either succeeded in making good their escape, or required another bullet to finish them. The head is, of course, a small mark, but a shot in it is instantaneously effective. Rifle, &c. — I have always used a small Martini-Henry rifle with a "45 solid bullet ; but I am inclined to think that a good magazine rifle carrying a '4 expanding bullet would be the best and safest for Polar bear shooting. Range — Unless a bear is actually making off at speed over the ice, I should deprecate firing at a greater distance than 15 or 20 yards; the nearer you are to the animal, the greater the chance of hitting it in a vital spot. They are wonderfully tenacious of life, and unless hit in the head will scamper away over the ice and through soft snow with perhaps two or three bullets in them, leaving behind a bright crimson trail on the otherwise spotless snow with which the ice is covered. To sum up, the Polar bear is by no means a formidable beast to contend with, if the hunter is armed with a good magazine rifle, is a fairly reliable shot, and is prepared to undertake a trip to the " regions of thick-ribbed ice "' in quest of his prey. A. H. M.^RKHAM. RUSSIA {Bear = J?i/ss. Medvfcd) — Though the number of bears killed within reasonable dis- tance of St. Petersburg has of late years steadily diminished, these animals still abound in out- lying Governments, such as Olonetz, where any sportsman able to spare a month or more, and to afford the expenditure of a considerable sum of money, may still be certain of a bearskin or two. Bear shooting is a winter sport, for without snow to track them in, these shy rovers are not easily found ; luckily for the sportsman, however, the Bear is a hibernating animal, and the first fall of snow not only drives him hurriedly to seek his w-inter-quarters, but also enables his enemies to track him to his chosen retreat. Finding the Bear — The usual method is for the local sportsman to sally forth about the first fall of snow, in November, either alone or with his dog ; that is, if he has one endowed with the gift of silence. He knows from ex- perience how to mark down each animal to the sanctuary in which it had hoped to sleep through the winter ; and having made careful note of the whereabouts of a number of occupied berlogi, as these hibernating dens are called in those parts, he hastens with his secrets to St. Petersburg, where, as the bears are not likely to emerge when once they have settled down for the season, he is able to dispose of each herloga for a sum of from 40 to 70 roubles (^^4 to £^'1), according to the estimated size of its occupant. It is not improbable that he will thus sell his whole batch of bears, from one to a dozen, to a single amateur, w-ho will then, as soon as convenient, set out from town well equipped with heavy rifle and small arms, or, if he be of an enterprising disposition, with no more than a bear-spear, though the practice of engaging the beast so lightly armed is well-nigh obsolete. He must drive to his destination, the vehicle being in all probability the Kibitka, a tented sleigh drawn by a pair of horses, the latter being changed en route at the post-stations. At the end of his journey, a matter of a week or con- siderably more, according to the distance traversed and the state of the roads, he will lodge at his guide's house ; and, unless he is prepared to live on black rye-bread and vodka, with now and again a dried herring and a cup of weak tea, he should take with him a store of provisions. Snowshoes will be found necessary, but they may generally be had of his host, and those of Olonetz, shaped like Norwegian ski (long and narrow, and not after the Canadian model), are perhaps the very best obtainable. Then comes the march for the nearest berloga, a function in which a trained dog is of use in supplementing his master's memory ; and at last the supreme moment arrives when the sports-- man stands, rifle in hand, at the den mouth, having secured good foothold for his snowshoes, in order that they may not slide at an awkward moment. Meanwhile the guide, aided by his dog, if he has one, begins the work of driving the bear from its retreat, a feat accomplished by either sending in the dog to bark at and worry it, or stirring up the sleeper with a pole pushed through BEAR-SHOOTIN't; IHE ENCYCLOP,i:UIA OF SPORT 89 the frozen snow and piled brushwood that form the outer wall of its den. Sooner or later, a question of seconds or minutes according to the disposition of the tenant, the walls of the sanctuary will part sud- denly and, with a roar of rage or a howl of terror, the bear will, in nine cases out of ten, bolt for the nearest cover. In the tenth case he will charge. Either way, this is the moment to fire, and, if possible, kill at a shot, otherwise an accident, or at best a long snow-chase, ending possibly in disappointment, will follow. Spearing — \Vhen bear-spears were in vogue, the sportsman would stand at the mouth of the Jterloga, receiving the brute's rush upon the steel-tipped point, and wrestle with the im- j)aled monster until it succumbed. Sometimes the bear would succeed in hurling its assailant to the earth and tear savagely at his flesh before expiring. Occasionally a bear is seen and shot in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, or a solitary marauder may at still rarer intervals fall to the axe of some peasant infuriated by the spoliation of his oat- patch or rye-field. This being the first of the articles dealing with various forms of sport in Russia, it may be con- venient to offer a few hints as to the several ways of reaching that country, and how to proceed when arrived there. Firstly, then, let the intending traveller provide himself with a passport, and let him have this properly vise by the Russian Consul, in Great ^\■i^chester Street, E.G. Armed with this necessary document, he may set out with an easy mind. St. Petersburg may be reached by sea or overland, as preferred. If the .sea-route be chosen, there are frequent sailings from Hull during open navigation time, that is, roughly, between April 30 and October 30. It is advisable to obtain permission before at- tempting to pass firearms into Russia. Without friends in Russia, or introductions to sportsmen, it is difficult to obtain sport near St. Petersburg ; intending shooters are therefore warned to make full inquiries beforehand, through friends in the country, to prevent dis- appointment. Fred Whishaw. BEARS, SGANDINAVIAN— The Brown Bear {Ursiis arctos) of Northern Europe is distributed, though in gradually diminishing iiumbers, over the greater part of Norway and Sweden. It is, however, rarely, if ever, now met with south of latitude 59°. Many hunters consider that there are two distinct kinds of Scandinavian Bear,' whereas most naturalists are now agreed there is but otie, though two skins are seldom found exactly alike. Some are black-brown, dark-brown, light- brown, yellow-brown, some grayish-brown with silver-tipped hairs, and others of a light yellow. The Northern Bear retires into winter quarters about the middle or end of October according to the season, and at this period he falls into a lethargic state and ceases taking food. He comes out again about the middle of April, but this depends greatly on the season and locality. On first coming out, he is lean and scraggy, and has only ant grubs to depend upon for food, which cause his flesh to smell strongly of formic acid. At this time he greedily devours any putrid carcass which happens to be in the neighbourhood. Later in the spring and summer the alpine sow-thistle (called Tort by the pea- sants), angelica and cow-parsnip afford him a good meal. Berries of every description from juniper to mountain ash, cloudberries [Afolfe bar), wild raspberries, whortleberries, cranberries, crowberries, &c., wasp and wild-bee grubs and combs, beetles, slugs, frogs, shell-fish near the fiords, barley, oats, and rye in the peasants' clear- ings in the forests, to say nothing of cattle, sheep and goats, all find a place in his bill of fare. In Norway, Bears are more or less numerous in North and South Throndjem, Nordland, Hedemarken, Nedenses, Bratsberg and Romsdal, Amts, also in Sastersdal, Thelemarken and Finmarken. In Sweden, in the forests of Jem- tland, Dalecarlia and Vermeland, and in Swedish Lapmarken generally. Of the various modes of hunting and killing the Bear, the most sporting way is with a good bear-hound in leash, in summer and autumn, accompanied by one follower only. In winter time several dogs may be used to range the woods and find the ^'Hic" (winter lair), the hunters traversing the snow on " Ski." Dogs are absolutely necessary for the first- named mode of hunting, and prices ranging from five pounds to twenty-five are often given for a first-rate animal ; an indifferent hound is worse than none at all. They may be bought in Jemtland and Ljusnadal in Sweden, and at various places in Norway. The dogs should be fitted with a light leather harness round the chest and shoulders, to which a leading strap three yards long should be attached. They are most intelligent animals, with remarkably good scenting powers, and will lead the hunter straight up to his game. They should never be beaten. Bears have a very keen scent, but neither their sense of sight nor hearing is so well deve- loped. Should a Bear once realise that he is being hunted, he will travel down wind in the most provoking manner all day, keeping a few hundred paces to leeward of you, and unless you can reverse the situation, it is almost hopeless to follow him. Being a wonderful stayer and first-rate climber (though rarely climbing trees), he can beat any dogs at clambering up or down rocky hill- sides. Haunts of the Bear — During hot weather 9° THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT [bkar-shooting he lies up for many days at a time, picking out a cool, swampy dell in the recesses of the forest, where he makes several large holes in which he wallows like a hog. He also retires to the high ground, above the timber-line, and digs out a bed in a secluded snow-patch, where he will remain for days, safe from flies and mosquitoes. On cool days, with a northerly wind and drizzle, during August and September, he is usually out feeding, and the hill-sides where rump or tail; load quickly, and fire into his chest as he turns round to charge. If below you, aim between his shoulders or loins, or at the centre of back. Should you suddenly come on a she-Bear with cubs kill the old one first ; if the cubs escape, fix up the mother's carcass and wait near, you will then probably bag them al.so. In the event of shooting a cub at some distance from the mother, load immediately, and hide near the body, for she will certainly turn up sooner or later. Should an-^ Average Jseight at shouldc Brown or Scandinavian" Bear. ■, 3yV. Average length from head to ,/ oot nf tat.', GJ't. 6 in. berries grow in profusion should be carefully scanned early and late. When the first snow falls in mid October, the hunter has a good chance of tracking him and ringing him in his " Hie." When this is found, it should be approached with caution and in- variably upwind. Stalking, &c. — Get as clo.se as possible to a feeding Bear, keeping above him all you can. If his broadside be toward you, aim just behind his right or left shoulder as the case may be. If he be running from you, shoot anywhere, at his she rush in on you, making a loud angry " huff, huff," keep your nerve and shoot straight. Never approach a dying or apparently dead Bear with unloaded rifle, but go up cautiously with both barrels at full cock. Do not smash the skull with your finishing shot, as one in the neck or behind the head is equally effective. Measurements — Scandinavian Bears will run up to nearly 900 lbs. in weight, and a skin has been measured 9 ft. 3 in. long and 6 ft. wide. The largest shot by the writer weighed about 800 lbs., having a skin 7 ft. 11 in., from BIG game] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT nose to tail, by 4 ft. 8 in. in width. Thirty-five years is about the hmit of age. Guns and Ammunition — A -500 or -450 express, ijy a good maker, firing a conical expanding bullet with a thick solid base and small, shallow hole at apex is a very useful weapon, being accurate at long ranges and effective at close quarters. GeR.\RD FERR.^ND. BEAVER— [^e" Trapping.] BIG GAME- AFRICA — Although shooting in Africa has vastly changed since Captain Cornwallis Harris (the forerunner of the great hunters) first en- tered the present Transvaal country in 1836, and discovered a wilderness teeming with game, where the sound of the rifle had never yet been heard, there is still, if the sports- man will travel far enough, plenty of sport to be got among the great fauna. But the wonderful plenty of what may be called the great game-slaying epoch — 1836 to 1890 — is not nowadays to be found except in a few remote and difficult places. The sportsman, then, must be prepared to work much harder, and to travel very far before he can find and bag big game. He will discover, as a general rule, that heavy game in Africa is much wilder and more suspicious than of old, and that its pursuit involves much more difficult hunting. Many species of game that forty or fifty years ago grazed quietly in vast legions upon the open plains, and merely stared at the wagons as they plodded slowly across the Veldt, now drink by stealth during the night, feed across the flats at very early morning, and then betake themselves to the bush, where they find sanctuary during the hot hours. The mere pursuit of many of these animals frequently involves long and weary days in the saddle, starting from the wagons before sunrise, and often not coming up with the game until after several hours of steady spooring, which is under- taken by a native hunter or bushman. Perhaps another two hours are occupied in the actual chase, and the operations of skinning and cutting up, after which ensues a long ride of possibly another five or six hours back to the wagons. Not infrequently, after leaving camp at dawn, the hunter does not reach it again until dusk or even darkness has set in. To hunt successfully in South Africa nowadays, therefore, the sportsman should possess patience, endurance, an even temper, and a hardy frame. The actual shooting of the game, in itself not always an easy operation, is by no means the most difficult part of the business of modern South African hunting. The mere fatigue of riding under a burning sun for from eight to ten hours, or even more, day after day, over a rough, and often parched and waterless country. 9* is no light matter. And even with good and willing native servants (not always to be counted upon), the labours of the day are by no means ended when the camp fire is reached. The skin- ning of specimen heads, and perhaps rare birds, which should never be entrusted to raw natives, cleaning guns, changing camera plates, writing up the diary, seeing that horses and dogs are fed, and many other necessary matters, have to be attended to before the wanderer can .settle him- self down by the fire, and enjoy in quiet his pipe and cup of coffee. If, however, the sportsman is possessed of patience and a determination to succeed, he will find at the end of a week's hunting that his labours are becoming somewhat lightened. Every succeeding day hardens him and puts him in condition. The irksome detail of carry- ing a heavy rifle in the right hand during a long day while riding, which at first seemed so wearying, becomes a mere trifle as the muscles of the arm grow hardened to the task ; and so with the rest of the labour. In some parts of Africa, where Tse-Tse fly abounds, and horses cannot be used, the fatigue of hunting on foot, no light operation in Africa, has to be faced. In, these districts, however, bush and covert are more abundant, the game has been less dis- turbed, and shots are more easily obtained. Hunting Grounds and Game— Thanks, to the advance of railway communication in South Africa, the traveller can get within hail of his hunting ground, at the present day, with far more ease and at considerably less ex- penditure of time and money than was the case a few years back. It is not worth while linger- ing in Cape Colony, unless it be intended to. shoot the smaller antelopes, such as springbok, klipspringer, steinbok, duiker, rhebok, bushbuck and bluebuck, or in the Orange Free State and Transvaal until close on the Limpopo River. If the sportsman is minded to shoot in Khama's Country, Eastern Matabeleland, the North Kala- hari, and towards Lake Ngami and the Zambesi,, his best plan will be to proceed by rail direct from Cape Town to Mafeking, and fit out there. In another year he will be able to rail direct to. Palachwe (Khama's Town), or even to Buluwayo. If he mean to hunt in Mashonaland he will do best to rail to Johannesburg, and there procure his waggon, stores, and equipments; while for hunting the country between Beira and the Zambesi — on the whole the richest hunting ground now left to South Africa — he should proceed to Beira by sea from Cape Town or Natal. In this latter country buffalo are extraordinarily plentiful, and roan and sable antelope, eland, blue wildebeest, Lichtenstein's- hartebeest, waterbuck, reedbuck, spotted bush- buck, inyala, koodoo, eland, pallah, tsesseby, Burchell's zebra, warthog, bushpig, lion, leopard, and hippos are abundant ; while elephant, black rhinoceros, and giraffe may be occasionall>^ 92 THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF SPORT [liiG (;ame encountered. Hunting, however, must be per- formed on foot. Some useful information as to outfit and cost of hunting in this country is to be found in the article on Buffalo. In Mashonaland and parts of Matabele- land — especially towards the Zambesi in the latter country^the big game to be found is almost identical with that just above men- tioned. I may, however, except the inyala, which is only found in the bush country fringing the littoral between the Zambesi mouth and Amatongaland. In Khama's Country, Ngami- land, and the districts towards the Zambesi, countered. In the North Transvaal, in the bush country near the Limpopo, koodoo, pallah, and reedbuck are still to be found. In South- west Africa some good hunting grounds are still to be met with in the Kaoko Veldt (Damaraland), and in the Ovampo, Okavango River, and Cunene River Countries. Here game of much the .same description as in Khama's Country and Ngamiland is to be encountered. Behind Benguella and Mossamedes, in Portuguese South-West Africa, elephant, plenty of buffalo, lion, leopard, zebra, eland, roan and sable antelope, koodoo, and other large antelopes, The High Veldt of the Past. giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, hippo, ostrich, Burchell's zebra, eland, gemsbok, koodoo, roan and sable antelope, waterbuck, lechwe, sita- tunga, pookoo, pallah, hartebeest, blue wilde- beest, tsesseby, and spotted bushbuck, klip- springer, steinbuck, duiker, and warthog are all to be found. Elephants and rhinoceros are, how- ever, now nearly shot out, plentiful as they were in all these regions not very long since. In the Barotse Country, Upper Zambesi, and the neighbouring regions, buffalo will be found almost as abundantly as in any part of Africa. Many of the water-loving antelopes, such as lechwe and sitatunga, are also extremely plenti- ful in this region. Beyond the Zambesi, towards Central Africa, elephants will be again en- are to be found. Here, however, bush is pre- valent ; the country is most difficult to work in ; native ser\'ants are bad and hard to get hold of ; and neither horses nor wagons can be reckoned upon. Outfit, Expenses, &c.— For hunting in all Africa south of the Zambesi, except in the Beira country and a few districts close to the river itself, wagons, oxen and horses can be employed. If the sportsman fit out at Mafeking or Palachwe for Khama's country, the Zambesi, Matabeleland, and Ngamiland, or at Johannesburg for Mashonaland, he may reckon "upon buying a good second-hand wagon out- right for from ^80 to .;^ioo. Oxen in average times cost from £(> to £^ los. per head ; but i;ic game] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 93 since the plague of rinderpest has fallen upon South Africa, the price of oxen has risen greatly, and may continue high for the next two or three years. The latest reports of rinderpest seem to point to more serious consequences. It should be remembered, too, that rinderpest has played sad havoc with game in all parts of Eastern and South Central Africa. A wagon and oxen can be hired in normal times for from ^15 to ;^2o per month ; a full span of oxen for a Cape hunting wagon is eighteen. Good, useful, South African horses, suitable for hunting purposes, can be bought at Kimberley (a capital market), Vryburg, Mafeking, or Johannesburg for from ^15 10^25 each. A salted horse will cost the purchaser from jQbo to ;^ioo. If the hunting trip take place in winter — the best season — from May to October, a salted horse is not necessary. The wear and tear of horseflesh is very considerable, and each sportsman should take with him not less than three reliable hunting-ponies. Mealies (Indian corn) should be carried on the wagon for teeding the stud, and nosebags save w-aste and are always useful. When travelling among native tribes, mealies and Kaffir corn can usually be purchased. These vary from los. a bag (205 lbs.), in an average season, to 35s. and occasionally more in time of drought and scarcity. AVlth each wagon are required a driver, whose wages should not exceed £,2 los. per month, and leader, from los. to ;£\ per month. Horse boys get from los. to ^i. A native cook should be got for from £,2 to £^2 los. per month. A small waterproof, oblong, canvas tent is a useful thing if the trip is to be a prolonged one. This can be lashed on to the buck-rail of the wagon. Every necessary article required for a hunting expedition (tea, coffee, sugar, tinned milk, tinned fruits and meat, mealie meal, Boer meal, pots, pans, &c.) can, nowadays, be procured at the stores at Mafeking, Johannesburg, and even Palachwe. Messrs. Whiteley, Walker & Co. of Mafeking, Palachwe, and Buluwayo, may be cited as among the most reasonable and reliable store- keepers in South Africa. Stores, horses, oxen, and waggons, if the expedition is made from South-West Africa, can be procured from Messrs. Mertens & Sichel, and other traders, of \\'alfisch Bay. It is a mistake to use heavy saddles ; light English saddles, furnished with plenty of " dees," and bridles, should be taken out from England. Half a common cotton Kaffir blanket, folded small and placed under the saddle, saves horses many a sore back. Breeches, or knickerbocker breeches, of velvet cord, mole- skin, or strong khaki, are best for the veldt. Strong brown boots and pigskin gaiters, or field boots, are best for foot and leg gear. A broad-brimmed felt hat, plenty of flannel shirts, and a strong cord coat for hunting in thorn and bush country, when following giraffe, com- plete the outfit. The coat can be strapped on the saddle bow ; and a compass, a box of matches, and a full water-bottle should never be omitted when leaving the wagon in search of game. A small case of medicines, preferably in tabloids (Burroughs and Wellcome's tabloids can be strongly recommended) in case of fever or dysentery should be remembered. Warburg's Fever Tincture is excellent for both these com- plaints and should be included. When hunting in the waterless deserts of the Kalahari and Western South-Central Africa, where the loss of one's horse may mean disaster, it is a wise plan to fasten one's mount to the hunting belt by means of a cord or thin hide riem, the other end of which is made fast to the cheek-ring of the bridle. With a little practice, a South-African horse will almost always stand quietly for the shot. A few mongrel dogs are useful for baying lion, leopard, or other dangerous game, and guarding the wagons. A pointer should certainly be taken for finding feathered game. It may be noted that, at the end of a hunting trip, the whole outfit, including spare guns, horses and stores, can usually be sold, for about the prices paid for them, on the hunter's return to a frontier town and semi-civilization, ^^'ith average luck and judgment, therefore, a South-African hunting expedition need entail nothing like the ex- travagant expenditure hinted at by luxurious travellers. In East and Central Africa, where neither horses nor o.x-wagons are used, the cost of hunting is a good deal increased by the number of native carriers required to convey stores, ammunition, guns and camp equipment. The actual cost — for food and wages alone — of a caravan of between fifty and sixty carriers will amount to from ^65 to £,1^ per month. The sportsman will have further to bear the charge of native hunters, body servants and inter- preters, as well as of arms and ammunition for the whole expedition, and other incidental ex- penses. It may be stated as a fact that a much longer purse is, nowadays, needed to hunt in East, Central, and North-East Africa— mainly owing to the cost of native transport — than in South Africa. In Somaliland, camels are now used for crossing the waterless desert which separates the coast line from the hunting country. In addition to a large number of antelopes, such as koodoo, lesser koodoo, various harte- beests, blue wildebeest, pallah, eland, roan and sable antelope, Hunter's antelope, waterbuck,sita- tunga, bushbuck, reedbuck, oryx, beisa, Clarke's, ^^'aller's, and Thomson's gazelles, klipspringer, duiker, steinbuck,oribi, &c., lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, Burchell's and Grevy's zebra, and ostrich are to be found in these regions. Elephant and black rhinoceros, as well as hippopotami, are in some parts numerous. But it is to be remem- bered that hunting has to be conducted on foot; 94 THE ENCYCLOP/EDIA OF SPORT [mc GAME and, as a general rule, it may be stated that the climate, especially near the equator, is much more exhausting than in South Africa. Battery. — I come now to that most im- portant subject, the choice of guns. For South Africa, at the present time, a useful battery would be the following : — (i) A "450 double £.<; press rifle by a good maker, accurately sighted for shooting on the plains ; this is a most useful weapon for all ordinary shooting ; (2) a single '303 Lee-Metford sporting rifle ; (3) a single sporting Martini- Henry. This is one of the most useful rifles for all kinds of game in South Africa or elsewhere. Government ammunition can be procured at every up-country store , in itself a fact wtU worth remembering; (4) a double •577 Express ; (5) a 12-bore shot gun for bird shooting. Such a battery is sufficient for all needs of the present day in South Africa. If, however, the gunner mean to hunt buffalo, and possibly elephant, or a stray rhinoceros, he may prefer a weapon of larger calibre. In such a case, a double 8-bore, carrying spherical bullets, may be recommended. For the "450 and "577 rifles solid, but not hardened, bullets, as well as hollow bullets should be taken. Many gunners have, like the late Sir Samuel Baker, much greater faith in the solid than the Express bullet. A very useful weapon for giraffe hunting is the Afrikander double rifle, carrying the ordinary Martini-Henry ammunition. Giraffe are usually shot from behind, at pretty close quarters, by the mounted hunter, and for this form of sport the Afrikander is an excellent weapon. In East, Central, and North-East Africa, where elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo are almost certain to be met with, the double 8-bore should most certainly form part of the equipment. Some sportsmen even recommetid the single 4-bore, a most formidable weapon, which may be almost absolutely relied upon to stop the charge of the heaviest and most dangerous game. As the weight of the 4-bore is very great — about 2 1 lbs. — and its recoil, backed by the huge spherical bullet and 1 2 drains of powder, proportionately heavy, only a man of the strongest physique and nerves is likely to employ so tremendous a fire-arm. For the rest, the battery recommended for South Africa will be found sufficient for other parts of the continent. Hints on Shooting. — As regards the actual shooting of game, it may be said that only experience in the field can teach a man the knowledge of which he stands in need. Spoorers and native hunters may be relied upon to take the gunner up to the game he seeks : the rest of the business lies entirely with him- self. In shooting lions, leopards, and other thin-skinned game at close quarters, the Express is a very deadly weapon. A broadside shot through the heart or lungs, or a chest shot, if the beast is facing the gunner, is pretty certain to kill or turn dangerous carnivora. The head shot for elephant, often resorted to in India, is seldom relied upon against the African elephant, and the point aimed at is the heart, or lungs. Rhinoceros are, as a rule, not difficult beasts to kill, and are often surprised and shot at close quarters ; a shot from a 4-bore, 8-bore, or a '577 solid bullet, through the lungs may be confidently relied upon to bring this gigantic beast to bag. In shooting heavy game, most beginners usually make the mistake of firing too high for the vital parts. The aim should be, if possible, directed just behind the point of the shoulder, a trifle below the middle of the body. It should always be remembered that for thick-skinned game, such as elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, and giraffe, only solid bullets should be used. It ought to be remembered that game laws now obtain in most parts of South Africa. In Cape Colony neither buffalo nor elephant, which are still found near the coast, can be shot without a permit from the governor. Zebra, koodoo, hartebeest, gemsbuck, bontebok, reed- buck, blesbuck, wildebeest and hippopotamus are similarly protected. Enactments for the preservation of the smaller antelopes vary in different districts and for different periods. These can be ascertained at the offices of the Agent-General for Cape Colony, Victoria Street, Westminster, or on landing at the Cape. In Natal the larger game is specially protected, as in Cape Colony. The close time for smaller ante- lopes extends from 30th June to 31st December. In the Orange Free State all game is protected from I St September to 20th January. In the Transvaal the close season extends from 15th September to ist February. Elephant and hippopotamus are absolutely protected. A licence to shoot giraffe, buffalo, rhinoceros, or ostrich costs ^10 ; for zebra and large antelopes, jQ"^ ; and for small antelopes, £,\ \os. In the Bechuanaland Protectorate, including Khama's Country, and Ngamiland, there is a close season from ist September to the end of February ; in the Tati district from ist October to ist April. ■ Special permission to shoot elephant, giraffe, or eland must be obtained from the British Resident for the Bechuanaland Protectorate. Hunting parties of five or under are required to pay a license of £,-] 5 to shoot large game ; and ^25 to all chiefs whose permission is required. Game may, however, be shot for food by travellers within a mile of the road. In the territory of the British South Africa Com- pany there is a close season from ist October to ist March. But farmers may shoot game on cultivated land, and prospectors and travellers may shoot game actually required for food, if distant more than ten miles from a township. 1 In Portuguese South-East Africa, strangers enter- ^ ing the country to hunt require a license which costs ;^5o. Residents pay about ^6 for a license to shoot big game. In Zululand, whites are not allowed to shoot game without a special permit. In Nyassaland a permit to shoot heavy BIG game] 'IHE ENCVCLOP-i;i)IA OF SPORT 95 game costs ^25, but it has now been decided to protect all game in the well known Elephant Marshes and for some time to come no shooting ■will be permitted in that area. Elephants are now protected in German East Africa. In .Somaliland a reserve for elephants has been formed by the British authorities. H. A. Brvden. AMERICA, NORTH— With the exception of British Columbia, the North American con- tinent is, in spite of a few remaining districts where good sport may still be had, practically played out from the sportsman's point of view. In British Columbia the sportsman must be prepared for downright hard work in a dense, rugged country. Here we shall find in far greater quantity than elsewhere every descrip- tion of game common to the States, save the Prong Buck, to compensate for which we meet the true Black Tail deer, unknown in any part of America except along the Pacific coast. Wherever we strike into the mountains, game of some description is nearly certain to be found. But the country is frequently so densely timbered, that little can be seen. Of well-known districts not yet exhausted. East Kootenay is the best and very easy of access. Here can be obtained in a three months' trip Caribou, White Tail, and Mule Deer ; the Rocky Mountain Sheep ; the Black and the Grizzly Bear ; also the wretched Rocky Mountain Goat, which never can realise its danger. Here, too, lives one of the very few- professional hunters of British Columbia. Every one must first gain his experience under a good hunter ; and then, if he feel equal to it, let him start out northwards on his own account. The Woodland Caribou {Rangifer taran- diis), the female of which carries antlers, is distributed throughout British Columbia as far north as the head-waters of the Eraser River, where it gives place to the Moose. Further north, and inland, we come to the Barren Ground Caribou {Rangifer gnvnlandicus). Continuing still further north, we fall in with Bison ; and finally meet the Musk Ox, which is only to be secured by some more than usually tough and enterprising sportsman. Those who hunt the Woodland Caribou should do so in the northern districts in Sep- tember and November, for they shed their antlers remarkably early. They are very keen of scent and hearing, though, if the hunter succeeds in getting into a band of them, they appear to lose their heads and can be shot down right and left. They are also very locally dis- tributed. \See C.\RiBOU.] The mountains of the western side of the Kootenay Valley hold only Caribou and Mule Deer, while those on the east contain no Caribou at all, but plenty of Sheep, Goats, and Deer. The Wapiti (Ce>-7'!/s raiiadeiisis), commonly known as Elk in America, is a magnificent deer formerly abundant in the States, but fast be- coming scarce. At the present time, a specimen head is as likely to be procured in \\'yoming as anywhere. The Wapiti is easily stalked and easily killed. It carries its antlers throughout the winter. There are a few examples in Kootenay and plenty on Vancouver's Island, but insular heads run small. [See Wapiti.] The Mule Deer {Cariacus macrotis), known in America as Black Tail deer, is, after the Caribou, the most widely distributed and plentiful deer of British Columbia and the States. Its habitat in British Columbia extends on and off from the extreme south to Stuart's Lake in the north. Its antlers vary in formation and beauty considerably, and the hunter may always hope to kill yet a finer head than the last. Around Quesnell, on the Fraser, is a favourite locality. It is easily hunted and very plentiful in East Kootenay. Ihe White-Tailed Deer lyCariacus vir- ginianus). These lovely little deer have, perhaps, the widest range of any deer in the world. They penetrate from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but do not extend far north in British Columbia. They are very abundant in East Kootenay, and are well worthy of all the hunter's skill, which in fair stalking will be taxed to the utmost. The Black-Tailed Deer {Cariacus coiumbi- ani/s) are unknown save along the Pacific coast. They never wander far inland. From Vancouver into Alaska, many islands and the whole coast abound with them. They are easily approached. The Moose (Akes machlis), known in Europe as the Elk, is tlie largest and most ungainly deer in the world, and one hideous head should suffice to satisfy most hunters. They are not difficult to obtain either in Canada or a district north-west of AVinnipeg, but a whole season given up to their pursuit would be wasted, so far as the prospect of obtaining other game is concerned. The Bighorn, or Rocky Mountain Sheep — {See Bighorn]. The Prong Buck {Antilocapra americana) is exclusively confined to the southern prairies, and even there its numbers are rapidly de- creasing. It is hunted with dogs, but affords good stalking and requires straight shooting. It has the peculiarity of shedding its horns about October. The Rocky Mountain Goat {Hapluccros montanus) — Throughout British Columbia com- paratively few mountains are without these tame, foolish creatures which afford no sport save the risk of a broken neck. The hunter has only to discover one to secure it, and by the time he has butchered the first, he will probably consider a second not worth climbing after. Hints on the Trip — Unless the sportsman is content to risk entire failure, or only possible success in some unknown district, he should, 96 THE encyclop.'I':dia of sport [lilG GAME before leaving home, obtain information as to the latest discovery of a good locality for sport, and then secure a reliable hunter. All else is plain sailing. The best route to British Columbia is via New York, and on to Montreal and westward by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Little game exists east of the Rocky Moun- tains. If a good hunter be secured, the sports- man need not trouble himself about anything save rifles and clothing. All can be obtained with the hunter's assistance at the last town or Hudson's Bay port, where the hunter should be in waiting. Expenses, &c. — The cost of a three-months' trip would be, for a hunter ^2 per day, to in- clude horses and outfit, and cook ^10 per month ; in addition to these a suitable supply of cheap provisions, such as flour, rice, canned milk, coflee, sugar, salt, Szc, must be taken. Season — The sportsman should leave Eng- land about the 15th of August and must, if hunting in British Columbia, first procure a ^10 license. Shooting Memoranda — When stalking any animal on a mountain side, the hunter should circle round to leeward and get above it, especially when after Bighorn. By taking up a position between the setting sun and an animal, it can be easily approached unseen. On coming suddenly upon game, should it not be too much scared, it is best to remain perfectly motionless, until it commences to feed, or looks away. The most timid deer will often pass within ten yards of a stationary person without suspicion. A wounded animal should not be followed immediately, but rather be given time to lie down and stiffen. It is ad- visable to hunt only early and late, resting, as do the animals, in the middle of the day. When upon the hunting-ground, shots should never be fired at winged game, or anything save good heads. The sportsman should learn to .skin before going on a hunt, and do all such work him- self if the trophies are to look their best. Skins should not be dried in the sun or before a fire ; and plenty of neck skin must be left on the masks of deer. A good deerhound will find much game and seldom lose that which is even slightly wounded, but he must always be fastened to the belt. Careful bearings should be taken on leaving camp, and if the hunter be lost, there is no need for alarm ; it is only the camp that is lost, for a man with a rifle should always be able to exist until he either find his camp or be found. Two shots fired rapidly are usually considered signals of distress. More than one hundred rifle cart- ridges are imnecessary, and they should never be lost sight of or given over to any ofificial on the way out. It requires an especially strong box to resist the rough handling of porters ; and great care should therefore be taken in packing rifles. Requirements — A Winchester is the rifle of the country ; it is good and cheap, and cartridges can always be obtained ; but the most perfect and satisfactory weapon is a double '500 hammerless ejecting Express. If geese and ducks are likely to be met with en route to the hunting-ground, a Paradox is advisable ; its possession likewise renders any mishap to the rifle of little consequence. A revolver is useless. The best way to carry a rifle is in a sling over the back. As for the remaining requisites, ordinary winter clothing will be wanted ; as well as about five pairs of common sand-shoes with thin rubber soles, which are the most comfortable and noise- less for climbing and stalking. A strong leather belt with two knives, whet- stone, and compass, as well as a good pair of field-glasses, are necessary. An excellent skinning and hunting-knife is made, the handle of which closes on the blade ; the latter fits neatly into a sheath. A second knife should be carried, com- monly known as a shoemaker's knife, the blade of which has an upward turn ; it takes a rough edge, and is excellent and quick for skinning. A roll valise is very handy for sleeping upon and carrying blanket.s, &:c. The sportsman should be careful not to burthen himself with more than he absolutely requires, and that is very little. [^See also C.^mping Out.] A fishing- rod and large trout flies will often come in handy. J. Turner Turner. INDIAN — India affords as large a variety of animals for the rifle as any country in the world. Some of them are not met with elsewhere. Tiger, Panther or Leopard, Bear, the Gaur (always called in India Bison), Buffalo, Sam- ber. Swamp Deer, Cheetul, Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Black Buck, Gazelle, Four-horned Antelope, Neilgherry Wild Goat (called in India Neilgherry Ibex), Rhinoceros, and Elephant, are the principal animals in India. In the Himalayan ranges, there are the Markhor, Ibex, Serow, Tahr, Gooral, Shapoo or Oorial, Burrel, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Brown and HimaLwan Black Bear, and Cashmere Stag. In the hills to the west of Sinde, are a wild goat ( Capra a'g'agri/s), the same animal that is found in Crete and the Caucasus (it is known to Indian sportsmen as the Sinde Ibex), and a variety of the Markhor with a straight horn having a spiral twist. The Striped Hya;na, Wolf, Indian ^\'ild Dog, Cheetah or Hunting Leopard, the Lion, Lynx, A\'ild Ass, and AMld Boar complete the list of what are usually styled the " big game " of India, though, to the old shikari, the smaller deer and antelopes are not reckoned as such. The Indian Lion is now represented only by a few animals in Kathywar. They are very properly preserved and not shot, except occa- BIG game] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 97 sionally by some one specially privileged to do so. The writer sees no difference between the Indian and the African Lion and believes them to be identical. Tigers, Panthers, and Bears are found throughout India, generally speaking, though there are many thousands of square miles without any, and a stranger to the country, unless he has information as to the exact locali- ties and the assistance of some experienced friend, could easily spend months without seeing a single example. All the large mountain ranges of the Indian Peninsula hold the Indian Bison : the Satpoora and Vindhyan ranges, the Mysore and Travancore Hills are the best. The Buffalo is found only in Assam, parts of Bengal, and certain limited portions of the Raepore, Sambalpore, and Chanda districts of the Central Provinces. Samber,Cheetul, Swamp Deer, and Hog Deer are jungle deer, the two former being found in suitable localities throughout India. The range of the Swamp Deer is more limited, its principal habitat being in the heavy grass and forest land in Assam and the foot of the Himalayas. It occurs also in the Mundla, Raepore, and Sambalpore districts of the Central Provinces. The Hog Deer is found in Sinde, Assam, and Northern India; but does not extend, as stated by Jerdon, into Central India. The Barking Deer is also a jungle deer, and is found throughout India. Of the Antelopes, the Black Buck lives in the plains; the Nilgai in the jungles and also in the open country ; the Four-horned Antelope in the jungles ; the Gazelle in the jungles and in open ground. The Neilgherry Ibex only occurs in the Madras Presidency, in the Neil- gherry and Annamallay Hills, and in Travan- core. The only other member of the same genus {Hemitragiis) is the Tahr or Himalayan Wild Goat. The Elephant is still numerous in Travancore and Mysore, and in the large forests at the foot of the Himalayas. It is not now found in Central India. Shooting Elephants is prohibited in British territory. In the native states of Travancore and Mysore, also, they can- not be shot without permission from the State. There are two kinds of Rhinoceros, the larger and lesser. The former occurs in the Terai and Assam, and the latter in the Bengal Sunderbunds. The Wild Ass is only found on the Rann of Cutch, and is not shot. The Hyaena is also not an object of sport, and is common. The Wolf and Wild Dog are not uncommon, and are found throughout the country ; the former generally in the open country ; the latter do not leave the jungles. The Hunting-Leopard is not often met with when out shooting. Some of the native Rajahs keep them for coursing Black Buck. [See Cheet.\h.] The Lynx is also seldom seen. Jerdon states that it is unknown in the Himalayas and in Bengal. That it occurs in Sinde is certain, as one was pulled down there by a couple of greyhounds belonging to a friend of the writer. The Wild Boar is found throughout India. In all suitable localities it is killed with the spear only. The best season for Tiger, Panther, and Bear- shooting in Western and Central India is March, April, and May ; after the monsoon breaks, usually the second week in June, nothing can be done. The jungles are then very feverish till about the end of November. In December, January, and February, which are the best months in the writer's opinion for stalking Deer, the jungle is too thick and the water too plenti- ful for much to be done with the felidce, though some can, no doubt, be procured at that season. Bison and Buffalo-stalking on foot, which is the only sportsmanlike way of attacking these animals, is best followed in April and May, and for three weeks, or a month, after the rains commence. In Northern India, where the long grass necessitates the use of elephants, the shooting is generally done in the hot weather, March to June. In Southern India, on the other hand, the feverish time in the hills is the hot weather, and October and November are safe, although much discomfort is experienced from the rain. In the hot weather the stags have mostly shed their horns, and about Christ- mas is the time to stalk them. In the Central Provinces, rules have been framed which establish a close-time for Deer, and this includes the hot weather. A copy of such rules should be obtained from the .Secretary to the Chief Com- missioner Central Provinces by all who wish to shoot in the Central Provinces. Large tracts oi country, forest reserves, are also closed to the sportsmen in the Central Provinces ; and in other parts also it is necessary to obtain per- mission from the forest officer in charge to enter the jungles for shooting. For big game shooting it is necessary to have one horse at least, and it is better to have two for each gun. As in the hot weather it is much cooler in the open air than in a tent, an 80 lb. Cabul tent for each sportsman is sufficient : this will keep things dry in case of the rain and heavy thunderstorms that sometimes occur at this season. A double-barrelled '500 Express rifle is all that is necessary, but for a battery, the writer recommends two -500 Express rifles, an 8-bore gun built for ball (not a rifle : a gun is as good and not so heavy) and a 12-bore gun. Bullock- carts can be hired by the month at about 12 annas a day. Beaters' pay varies in different places, from 2 to 4 annas a day. It is usual to give doiil>k pay if a tiger is killed. The shikaris' pay is from 4 to 8 annas a day. The rewards given by CSovernment for tigers, &c., killed, should be distributed among the shikaris and men. (The Indian rupee equals 16 annas, and at the present rate of exchange is equal to about 14 pence.) J. D. IXVER.ARITV. 98 THE ENCYCLOP.-EDIA OF SPORT [' IV, CAME MEASUREMENTS— Probably no subject has given rise to more controversy than the measurements of animals which, in hunters' parlance, are classed as " Big Game," and of trophies of the chase. The reason for this is not far to seek ; for the question is dominated by that exceedingly elastic quantity, the " per- sonal equation." Sportsmen, generally, are not too exact in their methods of calculating size or weight, and this inexactitude may arise, not so much from pardonable anxiety to secure a trophy whose weight, length, or girth will rival or exceed that of any other particular trophy, as from the difficulties which attend the exact mensuration of animals killed in situations such as confront the adventurous hunter all the world over. Nevertheless, the means to greater exacti- tude in measurement are simple in the extreme, and may be summed up by saying that with a five- foot rule, a two-foot rule — some part of it divided into millimetres — a tape-measure of any length over ten feet, a large pair of calipers, and a note- book and pencil, one ought to be able to achieve absolute accuracy. At present, few of the tables of measurements found in books of sport detail the methods adopted. Some sportsmen measure along all the curves of a carcase (even pressing the tape into inequalities), whilst others measure in a straight line. Obviously, the difference between the two methods sometimes amounts to feet — a serious matter when the measurements of two animals, each taken by a different method, are compared, and therefore the method adopted .should in all cases be stated : otherwise, confusion worse confounded arises when it is sought to institute comparisons. Perhaps an indication of what the present writer considers a proper method of measure- ment may be acceptable to sportsmen generally. For ordinary mammals the method should be to measure, as shown in the diagram, Fig. i, which is that of the Sabre-horned Antelope (Oryx leucoryx). In a direct line along back from tip of nose to end of tail. The same along under surface from end of lower jaw to end of tail. Length of tail, measured underneath from anus to tip, the deduction of which gives the length of body above and below. Length along top -of head, following all curves from nose to just behind and between ears. Length from proximal angle of nostril to distal angle of eyelid on dotted line a. Length between distal and proximal angles of eyelids. Length from proximal angle of eyelid to inser- tion of ear on dotted line b. Breadth of head between eyes. Breadth between ears. Length and breadth of ears. Girth around muzzle at proximal angle of jaws (c, c). Girth around muzzle in front of eyes (d, d). Girth around head, under throat, in front of ears (e, e). Girth of neck behind ears (e, f). Girth of neck in front of shoulders (g, g). Length of neck, on upper surface, from back of ears to distal edge of shoulder (f, g). Also, on under surface, from throat (e) to point G. Girth of body just behind fore limbs (h. h). Girth at greatest depth of abdomen (i, i). Girth just in front of hind limbs (k, k). Length of body between posterior edge of fore, and anterior edge of hind limbs. Extreme length along side from throat (e) to below spring of tail (m). Extreme height from ground to shoulder or withers. Extreme height from ground to above hip. Length of limbs as separate items where prac- ticable. Girth of limbs in three places : at foot, "knee," and junction with body. Note colours of muzzle, eyes, and all soft parts, and also any peculiarities. The weight, if possible, to be recorded, and in many cases this may be calculated by the method detailed in certain works for ascertaining the weight of cattle. Place and date in all cases to be given. If a horned head, the position of horns in re- lation to the muzzle, eyes, and ears should be noted, and the width on top of head between their insertions. The antlers of such an animal as a stag should be measured as shown in the diagram, iMg. 2, drawn from the horns of a Wapiti (often misnamed " Elk "). Length of beam of each antler, following all cur\es along back of beam to tip of highest posterior tine (see dotted line a). Length in a straight line from burr to tip of same tine (see dotted line b).'< BIG game] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 99 Length along centre of beam to crown. Distance from burr to spring of first or ■" brow-" tine. Length of brow-tine along under surface. Distance between brow-tine and next or " bez-" tine. Length of bez-tine. Distance between bez- and " tres-" tines. Length of tres-tine ; and so on, measuring length of each successive tine, and distance from Fig. 2. — .\ntlf.rs of .\n El.\phine Deer. 1. Brow-tine. 2. Eez-tine. 3. Tres-tine. 4. Royal-tine. 5. Sur-ruyals. this to next. Also note if any anterior sur-royal makes, with the beam, a greater length than that along the dotted line a. Span between burrs. Span between tips of brow-tines. Span between tips of bez-tines. Span between tips of tres-tines. Span between tips of anterior sur-royals on •dotted line c, c. Span between tips of posterior sur-royals on dotted line d, d. Greatest span at crown. Girth of beam at burr. Girth between brow- and bez-tines. Girth between bez- and tres-tines. Girth between other tines. The length and girth of any other noticeable tines should also be taken. It should be noted that the apparent beam above the tres is the " royal tine," and that all points springing therefrom are called sur-royals, anterior and posterior, and often form a cup — the " throstle's nest " of the Scot. Six points on each antler constitute a " royal head." In horns of other than Elaphine deer there is no bez-tine, and the next anterior one above the brow-tine is, therefore, the tres — (sometimes, although erroneously, called the " royal "). The diagram, Fig. 3, shows the different types of antlers, for all of which, except the last, the foregoing method of measurement must be modified. Twisted horns such as those of the Antelopes and of various sheep should be measured along their front, back and side curves in the manner described by Sir Victor Brooke and other authors, together with girths and distances be- tween the various points. The length, width and girth of tiie skull at various points is desirable. The following tables of Big Game measure- ments have been compiled from various works, but, as will be observed, in scarcely any case is the e.xact method indicated, and therefore those measurements for which the writer is not re- sponsible must be taken on their merits. Probably no j'X'/w-measurements are of the slightest avail, skins being stretched out of all proportion in the process of pegging-out and drying. In an article like the present, which is neces- sarily limited, it will be readily understood that not a tithe of the measurements to be found in books of sport, travel or reference can he given, nor, indeed, can all the animals known as beasts of chase be even mentioned, this omission being particularly noticeable in the great order of the Ungulata, or hoofed animals. The reader is referred, therefore, to the various works by Anderson, Baillie-Grohman, Baker, Blanford, Sir ^'ictor Brooke, Buxton, Caton, Chapman, Gor- don-Cumming, Danford and Alston, Dodge, Jules Gerard, Harris, Jerdon, Littledale, Lord, Lydekker, Lord Mayo, Peek, Percy, Clive Fig. 3. — Types of .\ntlers (modified from P.Z.S.). \. Rusine type. li. Normal Rucervine type. c. Intermediate Rucervine type. D. Extreme Rucervine type. E. Sub-Elaphine type. F. Elaphine type. Phillipps-WoUey, Pike, Roosevelt, Sanderson, Sclater, Selous, Sterndale, Ward, Williamson, and a host of others, pre-eminent amongst which, for wealth of measurements, stands out THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT [big game Rowland Ward's Horn jMeasiireineiits and ]l't'i!;kts of the Great Game of the World, which contains nearly all records prior to Carnivora. Taking the mammals from highest to lowest form, the Lion heads the list, and although sportsmen imagine specific differences to exist between the African and Asiatic Lion, and between those of various parts of Africa, never- theless, maned or unmaned, small or large, ruddy or pale, these are but slight or local variations, and there is really only one species. Lion (Felis ko) — Sir Samuel Baker appeared to consider that Lions of 500 to 600 lbs. were by no means uncommon, but the heaviest as yet recorded is one, mentioned by Mr. Lydekker in the recently published Jioval JS^atiiral Historv as having been shot in the Orange Free State in 1865, which is stated to have weighed 583 lbs. The next in weight is one recorded in The Field of July 13, 1890, weighing 563 lbs. A fine, black-maned menagerie Lion, of abnormal size, is stated to have weighed 434 lbs., its length from nose to root of tail being 6 ft. 10 in., tail 3 ft. 2 in., girth behind shoulder 4 ft. 9 in., girth of upper arm i ft. 10 in., and height at shoulder 3 ft. 6 in. Selous mentions three, of the re- spective weights of 410 lbs., 3S5 lbs., and 376 lbs. ; the extreme length of the largest was 9 ft. 1 1 in., and standing height to top of shoulder-blade 3 ft. 8 in. Lidian Lions are generally the smaller, but Sterndale gives two of the total lengths of 9 ft. 6 in. and 8 ft. 6 in. respectively, the tails of which measured 3 ft. and 2 ft. 6 in., and their height at shoulder 3 ft. 6 in. Tiger {Felis tigris) — In the very valuable tables given in Big Game Shooti>tg and by Mr. Rowland Ward, the greatest length is 12 ft. 2 in., but this was probably that of a skin, as the largest Tiger as yet recorded only attained the length of 10 ft. 2i in. before skinning. This, which was shot by the Maharajah of Kuch Behar, was of the extreme weight of 540 lbs. Others shot by him weighed 493 lbs., 467 lbs., 455 lbs., 450 lbs., and 445 lbs., and ranged in length from 10 ft. 2h in. to 9 ft. 6 in. Probably the average weight of a large Tiger may be taken as between 400 and 450 lbs., and its length as be- tween 9 ft. 6 in. and 10 ft., including the tail of about 3 ft. The height at shoulder would be from 3 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft. 8 in. Sanderson, how- ever, in his Among the JFild Beasts of India, mentions that a very bulky, old, well-fed, power- ful Tiger was but 9 ft. in length, and weighed only 349^ lbs. The Tigress, as the Lioness, is of less length and of considerably less weight. Tiger cubs of one year old are from 4 ft. 6 in. to 5 ft. 6 in. in length, but at the age of three years attain a length of from 7 ft. to 8 ft. 6 in. Leopard (or Panther) (Felis pardus) — Sportsmen, as with the Lion, attempt to differ- entiate between the Leopard and the Panther, and, indeed, contend for specific differences. The Leopard or Panther of Africa and India are, however, not specifically distinct, although they vary greatly both in size and colour, even to melanism, and, more rarely, albinism. San- derson, who regards them as varieties, but yet gives each a specific name, says : " The Panther varies in size from 6 ft. to 8 ft. from nose to tip of tail," whilst " the Leopard varies greatly in size, but probably never exceeds 6 ft. in length." Danford and Alston in Proc. Zool. Sac, 1880, record one whose total length was 8 ft., viz., 4 ft. 1 1 in. length of head and body, and 3 ft. i in. of tail, whilst its height at shoulder was 2 ft. 2 in. Of another, however, mentioned in CasselP s Natural History as 7 ft. 6 in. in length, the height at shoulder is given as 2 ft. 7 in. Other measurements are given on the authority of Gordon-Cumming and of Captain Fergusson, as being 7 ft. 10 in. and 7 ft. 8 in. respectively. Unfortunately, no other measurements nor any weights are to hand. Snow-Leopard (or Onnco) (Felis undo.) — This, the great prize of the Indian sportsman, is given as ranging from 7 ft. 4 in. to 6 ft. in length, from which an average length of 3 ft. must be deducted for the tail. The height at shoulder is given by Sterndale as 2 ft. Jaguar (Felis onca) — This South American cat, locally known as the " Tiger," is stated by Mr. Lydekker ("/. eit.) to have attained a length of 5 ft. from tip of nose to root of tail ; and another, measured by Azara, attained a length of 6 ft. 9 in., from which 2 ft. 2 in., for length of tail, must be deducted ; the a^■erage, however, may be taken as 6 ft. 2 in., including the tail of 2 ft. I in. Puma (or Cougar) (Felis concolor) — Another South American cat — locally called the " Lion " — is stated in Big Game Shooting, vol. i., to have attained a length of 8 ft. 2 in. including the tail, of about 3 ft. Weight about 150 lbs. A large male, killed in Arizona, says Mr. Lydekker, measured 7 ft., including tail 3 ft. Clouded Leopard (or Clouded Tiger) (Felis nebulosa) — This Asiatic cat is stated by Jerdon to grow to a large size, and Mr. Lydekker records one of 6 ft. 6 in. Sterndale gives another whose length was 6 ft. 4 in., including the tail of 3 ft. Mr. Lydekker gives another — a male — which measured 5ft. 7^ in., including the tail of 2 ft. 6 in. There are many smaller cats known to science which cannot be included here. I^ynxi Felis lynx) — Apparently the European and Asiatic Lynx, although so variable in size and coloration, are to be considered as of one species only. Blanford gives the body length as 2 ft. 9 in., and tail 7f in. ; probably, how- BIG game] THE ENCVCLOPJCDIA OV SPORI ever, larger specimens than this are found. Casse//'s Natural History mentions their leni^th as from 3 ft. 4 in. to 4 ft. 2 in., exclusive of tail 6 in. to 9 in., but these may be skin-measure- ments. Canada Lynx {Felis canadoisis) — Mivart gives this as not exceeding 2 ft. 6 in. in length from snout to root of tail, which is 5 in., but in the Aliisi'um of Natural History one is recorded as 3 ft., with 4i in. Hunting Leopard (or Cheetah) {Cymvlu- rus jubatus) — Jerdon states that an adult attains a length of 7 ft., of which the tail comprises including the tail of i ft. 8 in. Cassell gives height at shoulder as 2 ft. 8 in. There are several of the smaller Cynoidea which need not be included here. Polar Bear ( Ursus maritimus) — The weight has been variously estimated as from 600 to 700 lbs. (see Royal Natural Histor\\ vol. ii.), and as 1,500 lbs. (see Big Game Shooting, vol. i.), and its length, from snout to tail, as from 8 ft. to 9 ft. 6in. Brown Bear {Ursus arctos) — No exact measurements appear to have been recorded of large European specimens, but it is believed that *3^-i ■* \ .\% Average height at shoulder, i/t. Sn'ow Leopard. A't'erage length from h:ad to i-oot o/ tail, ^/t. S in. 2 ft. 6 in. The height at shoulder is given as from 2 ft. 6 in. to 2 ft. 9 in. Striped Hyaena {Hyana striata) — Stern- dale gives the measurements of one as — Length of head and body 3 ft. 6 in., tail about i ft. 6 in. Brown Hyaena {Hyana bruiinea) — CassclFs Natural History mentions a specimen as having a length of 4 ft. 10 in., including tail of about 1 ft., and a height at shoulder of i ft. 4 in. Spotted Hyaena {Hyana crocuta) — In the same work, measurements of one are given as — extreme length 5 ft. 10 in. ; height at shoulder 2 ft. 8 in. Wolf {Canis lupus) — Whether the Indian \\o\{ (Cam's pallipes) is to be considered as specifically distinct from C. lupus,\i is certain that both the European and American 'Wolf are to be regarded as one species, and this in spite of the extreme variability of their coloration. Stern- dale gives the length as 5 ft. 2 in. to 5 ft. 8 in., they sometimes attain a length of fully 8 ft. from nose to root of tail. In the Himalayas, the average length is 5 ft. or 5 ft. 6 in., although examples of 7 ft. are met with, and the length of one has been recorded as 7 ft. 6 in., whose height was 3 ft. 5 in. The tail does not exceed 2 in. or 3 in. Isabelline Bear ( Ursus isabelliiius) — Major Fitz Herbert appears to have met with a male specimen measuring 5 ft. 5 in. from nose to tail ; height at shoulder, 3 ft. ; girth, 4 ft. ; forearm, I ft. 5 in. ; and a female whose extreme length was 4 ft. 9 in. According to Major Ward, the length of another specimen was 6 ft. 10 in. Grizzly Bear [Ursus horribilis) — Messrs. Lewis and Clark measured a specimen which had attained a length of 9 ft. J. C. Tolman gives the dead weight of one as 1,656 lbs., and measurements of fresh skin as follows : — Length from nose to anus, 13 ft. 6 in. ; from ear to ear. THE ENCVCLOP/i:DIA OF SPORT [hk; game I ft. I in. ; poll to nose, i ft. 8 in. ; length of hind foot, I ft. 6 in. ; breadth of forefoot, i ft. The weight of a female is given as 900 lbs. American Black 'Bear {l/rsi/s americn/ii/s) — Adult male specimens frequently weigh from 600 to 700 lbs., whilst their length rarely exceeds 5 ft., and their average height is 3 ft. Himalayan Black Bear ( C/rsi/s torquatus) — The average length from nose to root of tail is given as 4ft. gin. to 5 ft. 6 in., although one is recorded, on the authority of Major Ward, as measuring 6 ft. 6 in. Malayan Bear( Ursus malayanus) — Average length of head and body, 4 ft. ; never exceeds 4 ft. 6 in. Length of adult female recorded as 3 ft. 6 in. ; weight, 60 lbs. Sloth Bear {Melursus lahiaius) — Length of head and body varies from 4 ft. 6 in. to 5 ft. Sin. ; tail, exclusive of hair, 4 in. to 5 in. ; height at shoulder, 2 ft. 2 in. to 2 ft. 9 in. Average weight of large males probably 280 lbs., although the weight of one has been recorded as 320 lbs. Southern Sea-Lion {Otaria jubata) — Sometimes called Captain Cook's Sea-Lion, and Walrus. Average length from snout to root oj tazU loyV. Average length of tusks (male), i ft. g in. Stated by him to have attained, in his day, a length of 12 ft. or 14 ft., and a girth of from 8 ft. to 10 ft., but males are now said to attain a length of only 7 ft. from tip of muzzle to root of tail. Northern Sea-Lion {Otaria stellari) — Adult males vary in length from 11 ft. to 13 ft., including the tail of 3 in. to 4 in., girth from 8 ft. to 10 ft. ; estimated weight, 1,000 to 1,300 lbs. Northern Sea-Bear (or Fur-Seal) (Otaria tirsiiia) — The extreme length of adult males is given as 7 ft. to 8 ft. ; girth, 6 ft. to 7 ft. ; esti- mated weight, 700 to 800 lbs. Females : Length, 4 ft. ; girth, 2 ft. 6 in. ; weight, 80 to 100 lbs. South American Fur-Seal {Otaria austra/is) — The average length of male speci- mens is said to be 6 ft. to 7 ft., that of females 5 ft. Walrus {Trichechiis rosinarus) — Adult males appear to range in length from 9 ft. 6 in. to upwards of 12 ft. from snout to root of tail, but Elliot mentions one from the Behring Sea whose length was 13 ft. and girth 14 ft., whilst their weight is variously estimated at from 2,250 to 3,000 lbs. and even more. Tusks have been recorded of a total length of 2 ft. 7 in. and a weight e.xceeding 8 lbs. each ; such examples are, however, exceptional, tusks of 4 lbs. weight and 2 ft. in extreme length being considered very fine. Tusks of females rarely exceed I ft. Sin. There are many others of this group — the Carnivora pinnipedia — of which mention is here unnecessary. Ungul.\t.\. ' Aurochs {Bos tauriis) — No small con- fusion appears to exist in the nomenclature of European wild oxen. The Auroch.s, which, in a sub-fossil condition, is known to palaeontology as Bos taunts var. primigenus, is now only re- presented by the half-wild Chillingham and other park cattle, and by our domestic breeds descended therefrom. That which sportsmen term the " Aurochs " is really the European Bison {Bos bonasus). The horn measurements of a Chillingham Bull are stated to be — Length i ft. 6i in. ; girth io| in.; span at tips i ft. S in.; width inside 1 ft. 9jr in. Indian Humped Cattle {Bos iitdicus) — Semi-wild in some parts of Lidia, and the Galla Ox of Africa may not be specifically distinct. Gaur {Bos gaurus) — Known to Indian sportsmen by the incorrect designation of " Bison," this is stated to attain a height of 6 ft. o in. (18 hands) at the shoulders, and one is recorded by Sir Walter Elliot as measuring 6 ft. ij in. at shoulder, 5 ft. 3 in. at rump, 9 ft. 6| in. in length from nose to root of tail, tail 2 ft. lOj in., length of dorsal ridge 3 ft. 4 in., height of dorsal ridge 4^ in., muzzle to frontal ridge 2 ft. i| in., breadth of forehead i ft. 3^ in., ear loi in., spread at tip of horns 2 ft. i in., girth of horns i ft. 7^ in. The longest horns recorded were 3 ft. 3 in., with a circumference of I ft. 7 in. The greatest circumference is I ft. 10 in. with a length of 2 ft. 8 in. The greatest spread at tips recorded is 3 ft. ij in., with a length of 2 ft. 4^ in., circumference i ft. 3f in., and widest spread, inside, 3 ft. 4^ in. — which is also the maximum record. Gayal {Bos frontalis) — Found genuinely wild in some parts of India, and smaller than its ally, the Gaur. Ward mentions two pairs of horns measuring respectively i ft. 3 in. and i ft. o| in. in length, iii in. and i ft. ij in. in circumference, and 2 ft. 2| in. and 2 ft. 3I in. lUG GAME THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 103 from tip to tip, but Blanford records that the horns of an old wild bull measured i ft. 2 in. both in girth and length. Banting, or Javan Ox {Bos soitdaicus) — Sometimes known as the Burmese Wild Ox. The maximum height recorded of an adult bull is 5 ft. 9i in., at withers, whilst the longest pair of horns measured 2 ft. of in., with a girth of 1 ft. 0} in., spread at tips i ft. 3I in., and widest span, mside, 2 ft. o\ in. The greatest spread at tips, however, and the maximum span, are given as I ft. 6 1 in. and i ft. 10^ respectively, com- bined with a length of i ft. 8| in. and a girth of I ft. o| in. Yak (Bos gn/nniens) — The adult bull is said to weigh about 1,200 lbs., and to average 5 ft. 6 in. in height, but one is stated to be in the Leeds Museum measuring 6 ft. o in. in height at shoulder; 10 ft. loi in. in length of head and body ; tail 3 ft. i in. ; girth at shoulder to ft. I in. ; girth at belly 9 ft. 4 in ; at thinnest part of neck 4 ft. 2 in. ; length of horns 3 ft. in. ; basal girth i ft. 6 in. This length of horns appears, however, to have been exceeded, one pair being said to measure 3 ft. 2| in., with a girth of i ft. 5 in., spread at tips i ft. 7 in., and widest inside span 2 ft. 7^ in., whilst these were exceeded in spread at tips by a pair of 2 ft. 10 in. horns which attained a spread of 1 ft. ^ in. European Bison {Bos bonasns) — Although truly wild in the Caucasus, and known as the Caucasian Bison, and semi-domesticated in Lithuania and known as the Lithuanian Bison, there is really no specific distinction. Of a Caucasian bull the following measure- ments are given : — From nose to root of tail, 10 ft. I in. ; top of hoof to top of withers, 5 ft. 11 in. ; circumference of leg below knee, 10 in. ; knee, i ft. 4 in. ; below hock, loi in. ; round hock, I ft. 7 in. ; girth of body, about 8 ft. 4 in. The horns of a Lithuanian bull and cow are said to have measured respectively, from tip to tip, I ft. 6| in. and 6 in. ; base to tip around curve outside, i ft. 5^ in. and i ft. 35- in. ; around curve inside, i ft. \\ in. and 10 in. ; circumference at base, 10 in. and 8 in.; across forehead, i ft. i in. and 10 in. American Bison {Bosa/nericanus) — Called " Buffalo " by one of those errors which seem to dog the footsteps of sportsmen in dealing with wild oxen, this is stated to have attained, in the bull, a length of 8 ft. 6 in. from tip of muzzle to root of tail and a height of 5 ft. 8 in. at withers. The weight of an adult bull has been recorded as 1,727 lbs., which is probably not exceptional, as another is said to have reached 2,000 lbs. Good-sized horns measure I ft. 4 in. to I ft. 6 in. in length, but one pair measured nearly i ft. 9 in., with girth i ft. 3 in. Cape Buffalo {Bos caffer)—T]\Q following weights and measurements of different animals have been given by various authorities : — Length of body 9 ft. o in., tail 3 ft. o in. Height at shoulder 4 ft. 7 in. to 4 ft. 8 in. Weight 45 stone and upwards. Horns : — Extreme span at greatest width 3 ft. 8 in., depth on forehead i ft. 3 in., total length of each horn along curve 3 ft. in. Besides these, the maximum measure- ments recorded, of various examples, are : — Width, inside, 3 ft. 6 in. Width, outside, 3 ft. 1 1 in. Tip to tip, 3 ft. i i in. Width of palm, 1 ft. 5 in. Indian Buffalo {Bo<; lmbahts)—T\\& bull of this species, known as the "Arna," is said to have attained, in one instance, a length of 10 ft. 6 in. from nose to root of tail. In height it is supposed never to exceed 5 ft. 4 in. (16 hands) at withers, and actual measurements of one specimen are given thus : — Length, from nose to root of tail 9 ft. 7 in., tail 3 ft. 11 in., height 5 ft. o in., girth 8 ft. 3 in. ; horns from tip to tip along greater curve, 8 ft. 3 in. The longest horn recorded — one in the British Museum — is accredited by one authority with a " length of 6 ft. 6i- in., which indicates a span of about 14 ft. from tip to tip in the pair," whilst another gives its length outside curve as 6 ft. 5I in., and basal girth i ft. s| in. Of other measurements of various horns, the maximum records are : — Girth i ft. 9 in. Spread at tips 4 ft. 7 J in., with greatest width, inside, 4 ft. 10 in. Musk Ox {Ovi/'os nioschatus) — The horns are said to average about 2 ft. or 2 ft. i in. in length, but examples have been recorded ranging up to 2 ft. 3^ in., one pair of this length having breadth of palm i ft. oh in. and spread at tips 2 ft. 3 in. Maximum breadth of palm i ft. i\ in. with a length of 2 ft. 2^ in. Maximum spread at tips 2 ft. 6 in., with length 2 ft. American Wild Sheep {Ovis canadensis) — Known as the " Bighorn." Average weight of rams, 350 lbs. or less ; of ewes, about 233 lbs. Of an adult ram these dimensions have been recorded : — From base of neck to root of tail, 3 ft. 6 in. ; girth under forelegs, 3 ft. 9 in. ; height at shoulder, 3 ft. 2 in. Approximate height of ewes, 3 ft. Horns range in length from 2 ft. 8 in. to 3 ft. 5 in. — the maximum record, accompanying the maximum girth of i ft. 5J in. and spread at tips of 2 ft. 4 in. Kamschatkan Wild Sheep {Ovis nivicola) — Closely allied to, and possibly not specifically distinct from the preceding, this sheep is said to attain an average height of about 3 ft. 4 in. at shoulder, the maximum height recorded being 3 ft. 5 in., combined with a length, from nose to tip of tail, of 5 ft. 5 in. The maximum length is 5 ft. 7 in., and the only record to hand of girth of chest is 4 ft. 6 in., with height 3 ft. 4 in. and length 5 ft. 6 in. Of another specimen, standing only 3 ft. i in. at shoulder, these additional measurements were made — Skull, from between horns to end of prs- T04 THE ENCYCLOP.liUIA OF SPORT [i!k; game maxilla;, lo in. ; greatest width across orbits, 6| in. Horns, length round curve, 2 ft. 9 in ; circumference, i ft. of in. Maximum length of horns recorded, 3 ft. 2 in., with basal girth i ft. 1 1 in., and spread at tips 2 ft. 2 in. Maximum girth I ft. 2^ in. Maximum spread at tips 2 ft. 2| in. Horns of adult female, 9 in. in length. Mongolian and Tibetan Argalis (Ovis aininoit and O. hodgsoni) — These animals, whose differences may be rather of variety than of species, are said to be comparable in size with a large donkey, but no actual weights or di- mensions appear to have been recorded except the height of two specimens of O. amnion, which were respectively 3 ft. 10 in. and 3 ft. 7 in. at shoulder, and the length of skull of the latter — I ft. The approximate height of the Tibetan ram is given as from 3 ft. 6 in. to 4 ft. at shoulder. Horns range in length from i ft. 8| to 4 ft. 1 in., in girth from jf in. to i ft. 8 in., and in spread at tips from i ft. 2 in. to 2 ft. 8 in., but one pair has been accredited with a length of 4 ft. 5 in., and a girth of 2 ft. or 2 ft. i in. ! Of ewes' horns, the maximum record is a length of I ft. 6 in., girth 7 in., spread i ft. 7f in., although they are supposed occasionally to attain a length of 2 ft. o in. Pamir Wild Sheep {Ovis poli) — Known also as Marco Polo's 'Wild Sheep. The weight of an adult ram has been estimated at about 500 lbs. The height of one has been given as 3 ft. 10 in., and Mr. Blanford measured another whose length, from horns to root of tail, is given as 4 ft. 8|^ in., tail 5|^ in., height at withers 3 ft. 8 in., horns 4 ft. Of horns, the maximum length recorded is 6 ft. 3 in., with girth i ft. 4 in., and spread at tips 4 ft. 6| in. ; and the greatest girth is i ft. 5§ in., with length 4 ft. ii| in., and spread 3 ft. 9I in. ; horns, however, with a length of 4 ft. 5 in. to 5 ft. are considered good specimens. Horns of ewes are small and upright. Oorial, or Sha {Ovis vignei) — The typical form, found in the Punjab and known as the Oorial, has an average height of about 2 ft. 8 in. at shoulder, whilst a variety, found in Ladak and called the Sha, attains a height of 3 ft. or upwards. Maximum length of horns 3 ft. 2I in., combined with maximum girth of i ft. o\ in., and spread at tips ii\ in. The greatest spread — I ft. ii|in. — accompanied a length of 2 ft. 2% in. and girth of gl- in. Horns of ewes are short and nearly straight. Armenian Sheep {Ovis gmelini) — Height at withers, usually about 2 ft. 9 in. The British Museum possesses an extremely large head, with horns said to measure 3 ft. 6\ in. along curve of fronto-nuchal edge ; loi in. in basal circum- ference ; and 5 J in. — the smallest record — in spread at tips. Other horns have been recorded as measuring 3 ft. o\ in., 2 ft. 6i in., and 2 ft. 5 1 in. in length ; 2 ft. 2 in. is, however, a very good length. Maximum circumference given, io| in Maximum spread, i ft. 9 in. Cyprian Sheep ( Ovis ophion) — Of this form, which may be but a variety of the preceding and not a distinct species, the ram barely exceeds 2 ft. 2 in. in height at withers, whilst, of the few horns noted, the maximum length is 2 ft., with a girth of 8 in. and a .spread of 4i in. or less. Other lengths range down to i ft. 10^ in. (Greatest spread, i ft. o\ in. Mouflon {Ovis musimon) — The dimensions of a living male, formerly in the Zoological Gardens of London, were recorded as 3 ft. 3 in. from nose to tail ; tail 5 in. ; from nose to base of horn 7 in. ; ears 4 in. ; neck, from posterior base of horn to abrupt angle of in- sertion, 8 in. ; thence to base of tail i ft. 9 in. ; height at shoulder 2 ft. 3 in. Horns range in length from i ft. 8 in. to 2 ft. 4 in. or 2 ft. 5 in., with a girth of 7 in. to 9 in., and a spread at tips of 5 1 in. to I ft. Bharal {Ovis nakura) — Approximate height of ram, 3 ft. at withers ; ewe, altogether smaller. Horns measuring 2 ft. along curve, and about 1 1 in. in girth are considered good, but examples have been recorded ranging in length to 2 ft. 8 in. ; in girth to i ft. o| in., and in spead at tips to 2 ft. 2|. Barbary Sheep {Ovis tragelaphus) — Height 3 ft. or rather more. Horns — of both males and females, — which, although finely wrinkled in the young animal are almost smooth in the adult, range in length from i ft. 4 in. to 2 ft. 2I in. ; in basal girth from 7^^ in. to \o\ in., and in spread at tips from 5 in. to i ft. 6i in. Pallas' s Tur {Capra cylindricornis) — This wild Goat of the Eastern Caucasus, known also as the Caucasian " Burhel," is said to stand about 3 ft. in height at shoulder. Horns measuring 2 ft. 7 in. along curve are considered good, although specimens have been recorded ranging in length up to 3 ft. 2\ in. with girth 1 ft. o\ in. The greatest girth, i ft. 3 in., ac- companied a length of 3 ft. Greatest span at tips I ft. 7J in., with length 2 ft. 9I in., and girth I ft. Caucasian Tur {Capra aiiicasica) — In- habiting the Central Caucasus, and known locally as the Ibex," yet doubtfully of a dis- tinct species from the preceding. Horns have been recorded ranging in length from 9 in. to 3 ft. 4^ in., the latter being combined with the maximum girth — i ft. o| in. — and a spread at tips of I ft. 3 1 in. The greatest spread — 2 ft. 3 1 in. — was found in a pair of horns 3 ft. oj in. in length. Spanish Wild Goat {Capra pyrcnaica) — Erroneously called an " Ibex," being more nearly related to the Turs. Said to stand about 2 ft. 2 in. in height at shoulder. Good-sized horns measure about 2 ft. in length, but speci- mens have been recorded ranging up to 2 ft. EIG game] THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SPORT 105 7 in., this lengtli being combined with the maximum spread of 2 ft. ih in., and a girth of only 8| in. Maximum girth recorded loj in., with length 2 ft. 3^ in. and spread i ft. 7^ in. Persian 'Wilci Goat {Capra agagrus) — This species, termed the Pasang (i.e. rock- footed) by the Persians, is said to be the chief ancestor of the different breeds of domestic goats. The height of an adult male is given as 3 ft. I in. at shoulder. Of horns, a length of 3 ft. 4 in. along curve is considered good, although one pair of 4 ft. 5 in. has been re- corded. The maximum girth — gf in. — accom- panied a length of 2 ft. 9I in., and a span of 1 ft. 2\ in., this span being exceeded by a pair measuring 3 ft. 3I in. in length, 7I in. in girth, and 2 ft. 3 in. from tip to tip. The smallest .span at tips is i^^ in., in horns of the same length as the last. Alpine Ibex (Capra ibe.x) — The Ibex, Steinbok, or Bouquetin has now disappeared as a truly wild animal, it is therefore a matter for concern that no weights nor body-measurements appear to have been ascertained, and but 'four horn-measurements are to hand. One pair in the British Museum are said to measure 3 ft. 7 1 in. in length, and Mr. Rowland Ward records three as measuring respectively 2 ft. 7f in., 2 ft. 2|, and I ft. gi in. in length ; 9^ in., 8f in., and 8| in. in girth ; and i ft. 6| in., i ft. 10^ in., and i ft. 2\ in. from tip to tip. Himalayan Ibex {Capra sibirica) — The respective weights of a male and female are given as 188 lbs. and 104 lbs. The height of one male specimen was stated to be 3 ft. 4 in. at shoulder ; that of a female 6 in. less. An- other male was 3 ft. 2 in. in height ; 4 ft. 6 in. in length of head and body ; tail 8 in. Horns vary in length from 4 ft. t,^ in. (Lydekker records a pair of upwards of 4 ft. 6 in.) to below 3 ft., the girth being from i ft. o\ in. downwards. Greatest spread, 3 ft. Arabian Ibex ( Capra sinaitica) — No weights nor body-measurements given, but horns range in length from 4 ft. 3^ in. down to 3 ft. 2| in. ; in girth from g{- in. to 7I in. ; span i ft. o\ in. Abyssinian Ibex (Capra walie) — No weights nor body-measurements given, but a pair of horns are said to have had a length of 2 ft. with girth 9^ in. Markhor ( Capra faiconeri) — Several varieties are known, but there appears to be only one .species. Heights are given of 3 ft. 8 in. and 3 ft. 2\ in. at shoulder, and lengths of horns around curve are recorded as 5 ft. 3 in., 5 ft. I in., 4 ft. II in., 4 ft., and under. Measured in a straight line, the greatest length appears to be 3 ft. 6i in. Greatest circumference i ft. of in. Span at tips from about 4 ft. 4 in. down- wards. Tahr (He mi tragus jemlaicus) — Males are given as weighing 200 lbs., and as standing from 3 ft. to 3 ft. 4 in. at shoulder, with a total length of 4 ft. 6 in. Greatest length of horns i ft 2|- in. Greatest circumference 9 in. ; span 11 J in. Nilgiri Goat (Hemitragus hxlocriiis) — Called " Ibex " by Indian sportsmen. Has a height of from 3 ft. 3 in. to 3 ft. 6 in. at shoulder. Greatest length of horns recorded, i ft. 7 in. with a girth of 9^ in. Greatest span i\ in. Goral (^Nemorhadus goral) — Sometimes called Himalayan Chamois. Height at shoulder 2 ft. 4 in. to 3 ft. ; total length 4 ft. Weight from 45 to 63 lbs. Greatest length of horns given, \\\ in., with a perpendicular measurement of 7 1 in., a girth of 3-i in., and a spread at tips of 6i in. Lengths of others are given as 8i in. to 7 1 in., with a much less girth and spread. Himalayan Serow (Nemorhivdus hubal- inus) — Called also Forest Goat. Height of one recorded as 3 ft. 2 in. at shoulder ; weight as 190 lbs. Greatest length of horns recorded, I ft. li in. A specimen, \o\ in. in length, had a girth of 5I in. and spread of 3^ in. ; 5I in. girth, and 5 \ in. spread are, however, recorded. Takin [Budorcas iaxicolor) — Height, 3 ft. 6 in. at shoulder. Of horns, the greatest length recorded is 2 ft., and a pair i ft. io| in. had a girth of io| in. and a spread at tips of i ft. 2 J in. Rocky Mountain Goat {Haploceros 711011- taiius) — Girth around chest after skinning, 4 ft. 8 in. Weight is given as averaging 100 lbs. Greatest length of horns given, ii|- in.; girth 6i in. ; spread at tips, 6\ in. Chamois {Riipicapra tragus) — AVeight from 50 to 70 lbs. Greatest length of horns given, io|: in. ; girth, 4I in. ; spread at tips, 5 J in Kland (Orias ca/ina) — One of the few species of Antelopes in which the horns of the cows exceed in length, though not in thickness, those of the bulls. Selous shot one 5 ft. 9 in. in height at withers. Weight 800 to 1,100 lbs.; old bulls sometimes attaining to 1,500 lbs. Maximum length of horns, according to F. Coburn, 2 ft. 10 in., combined with the maxi- mum girth of Ti, ft. i\ in. Greatest spread at tips recorded, 2 ft. ij in. Derbian Eland {Orias derbianus) — The horns of the male in this species are larger than in the preceding, but those of the cow are smaller. Sir Edmund Loder possesses a pair 2 ft. 10} in. in length; i ft. f in. in girth; and i ft. io| in. in spread at tips, but this spread has been ex- ceeded by a pair measuring 2 ft. 5I in. between tips. Kudu or Koodoo (Strepsiceros kudu) — Males may stand about 4 ft. 4 in., and even 5 ft., at shoulder. The length of body is stated to be 9 ft. Selous shot one whose horns measured, in a straight line from base to tip, 3 ft. 9I in. ; around curve, 5 ft. of in. ; basal girth, 11^ in.; spread between tips, 2 ft. 9 in. Another pair taken by him had a length, from base to tip, of 3 ft. 5 in., with the maximum measurement around spiral turn of 5 ft. 3 in. Lesser Kudu or Koodoo (Strepsiceros io6 THE encvclop-'1-:dia of sport mC, (lAMb imberbis) — Maximum measurements of different horns are : Length in straight Hne, 2 ft. li in. ; length around curve, 2 ft. 7i in. ; circumference, 6 1 in. ; spread at tips, i ft. 3^ in. Harnessed Antelope {Tragelaphus scrip- tits) — Under this designation are to be found four varieties formerly considered as species — the present, the typical variety of West, Central', and South-Central Africa ; the second from Abyssinia ; the third from East Africa ; and the fourth, the " Bushbuck " of the Cape. Stated to stand 2 ft. 8 in. at shoulder, and to measure about 5 ft. in length. The maximum measure- ments recorded of different horns are : Length, I ft. 5^ in. ; girth, 6§ spread at tips, <)\ m. West African Harnessed Antelope {Tmgelaphi/s grafiis) — Height at shoulder, 3 ft. 6 in. ; length from chest to rump, 3 ft. 6 in. ; tail, ii|in. ; ears, si in. Maximum length of horns, from a specimen in the British Museum, I ft. 7 in. A pair in the late Sir Victor Brooke's collection measured i ft. 6 in. in a straight line ; I ft. iii in. around curve; 7I in. in circumfer- ence, and I if in. in spread at tips. Central African Harnessed Antelope, Situtunga, or "Nakong" {Tragelaphus spekei) — Height of male at shoulder, 3 ft. 7 in. Maximum measurements of different horns are : Length around curve, 2 ft. 8-| in. ; in straight line, 2 ft. 3 in. ; girth, 8^ in. ; spread at tips, I ft. 7 1 in. Nilgai {Boselaphus tragocamelus) — Height of males, 4 ft. 4 in. to 4 ft. 8 in., or even 4 ft. 10 in., at shoulder ; length, 6 ft. 6 in. to 7 ft. ; tail, I ft. 6 in. to i ft. 9 in. Maximum measure- ments of different horns are: Length, iif in. ; circumference, gi in. ; spread at tips, 7I in. Addax lyAddax nasomaculatus) — Height, 3 ft. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length along curve, 2 ft. iif in; length in straight line, 2 ft. 4I in. ; circumference, 6f in. ; spread at tips, i ft. 5f in. Gemsbok {Oryx gazella) — Height, 4 ft. Horns of the female usually longer than those of the male. Alaximum records of different horns: Length, 3 ft. 11^ in.; circumference, 8| in. ; spread at tips, i ft. \\ in. Beisa {Oryx beisa) — No body-measurements nor weights appear to have been ascertained. Horns of the female, as in the preceding, longer than those of the male. Maximum measure- ments of different horns are : Length (female), 3 ft. 3 in. ; circumference, 8| in. ; spread at tips, loi in. Fringe-eared Oryx {Oryx calbttis) — No body-measurements nor weights appear to have been recorded. Maximum measurements of different horns are : Length, 2 ft. 6J- in. ; girth, 7 Jr in. ; spread at tips, i ft. i in. Sabre -horned Antelope {Oryx kucoryx) — No body-measurements nor weights are to hand. The longest horns recorded are a pair in the British Museum with a length of 3 ft. 3^ in. ; girth, 44 in. ; spread at tips, i ft. 2J in. Shorter horns, however, have measured 5^ in. in girth, with a less spread. Roan Antelope {Hippotragiis equinus) — Height at shoulder, 4 ft. 6 in. Maximum mea- surements of different horns : Length, 3 ft. 6 in. : girth, \o\ in. ; spread at tips, i ft. 2 in. Sable Antelope {Hippotragus niger) — Height at shoulder, 4 ft. 6 in. ; extreme length nearly 9 ft. ; tail, 2 ft. i in. ; ears, 10 in. Maxi- mum measurements of different horns : Length, 3 ft. 10 in. ; girth, loi in. ; spread at tips. I ft. 7?,- in. Springbuck {Gazella euchore) — Height, 2 ft. 6 in. .Maximum measurements of different horns : Length on curve, i ft. 3} in. ; girth, 7 in. ; spread at tips, 5^ in. ; widest span inside, SJr in. "Dorcas Gazelle {Gazella dorcas) — Height at shoulder, about 2 ft. Of different horns, the maximum measurements recorded are : Length, I ft. I \ in. ; girth, 4^ in. ; spread at tips, 4| m. Indian Gazelle or Ravine Deer ((?«:«'//<' Av///t-/'//)— Height at shoulder, 2 ft. 2 in. Of different horns, the maximum measurements are : Length, I ft. 2^ in. ; girth, 4I in. ; spread at tips, Swift Gazelle {Gazella mohr) — Height at shoulder, 2 ft. 6 in. ; at croup, 2 ft. 8 in. ; length, from nose to root of tail, 4 ft. 2 in. ; head, from nose to root of horn, 7 in. ; tail, without terminal tuft, 7 in. The longest horns — tho.se of a female^are i ft. in length, 3^ in. in girth, and 5^ in. from tip to tip. Clarke's Antelope {Ammodorcas clarkei) — Several specimens of this new (1891) Antelope have been procured, but it is much to be regretted that no sportsman appears to have taken the trouble to ascertain the body-measure- ments or weights. Maximum measurements of different horns: Length, iifin. ; girth, 5 in. ; spread at tips, 5^ in. Waller's Antelope or Gerenuk {Litho- cranius walleri) — No body-measurements nor weights to hand. Of different horns, the maxi- mum measurements are : Length, i ft. 3! in. ; girth, si in. : spread at tips, 6 in. Thibetan Antelope or Chiru {Pantholops hodgsoni) — Height at shoulder, 2 ft. 11 in. Of different horns, the maximum measurements are : Length, 2 ft. 4i- in. ; girth, 5|in. ; spread at tips, I ft. 4i in. Saiga Antelope {Saiga tartaricd) — No body-measurements nor weights are given except of a skeleton, which is said to stand 2 ft. i\ in. at shoulder, and to measure 3 ft. 2 in. along " spinal cord." Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, i ft. 2| in. ; girth, 5I in. : spread at tips, sfin. Impala Antelope {.-Epyeeros melampus) — Height about 3 ft. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, i ft. 9A in. : around ga-me] THE ENCVCLOP.'EDIA OF SPORT ro7 bend, 2 ft. 3^ in. ; circumference, 6 in. ; spread at tips, I ft. 5 1 in. ; widest outside, i ft. 8 in. Black-buck or Indian Antelope {Atitilope cervicapra) — The height at shoulder is given as 2 ft. 8 in., and the average weight as 85 lbs. ; the size, however, varies considerably in different localities, the smallest variety being found in Mysore, where, according to Sanderson, horns average i ft. 2 in. in length and rarely exceed I ft. 6 in., although, in other parts of India, the average length is 2 ft. 2 in. or 2 ft. 3 in. Maxi- mum measurements of different horns : Length in straight line, 2 ft. 4^ in. ; around curve, 3 ft. 4?, in. : circumference, 5| in. ; spread at tips, I'ft. 9|in. Reedbuck ( Cervicapra afiindineum) — Height about 2 ft. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, i ft. 3^ in. ; girth, 7I in. ; spread at tips, I ft. 2f in. Water - Buck {Colms ellipsiprymmis) — Height, 4 ft. Maximum measurements of dif- ferent horns : Length, 2 ft. gi in. ; girth, gf in. ; spread at tips, 2 ft. \\ in. Sing-sing Antelope {Colms de/assiis) — Height at shoulder is given as 3 ft. 9J in. ; length, rump to front of shoulder, 4 ft. 4 in. ; head, from between horns to tip of muzzle, 1 ft. li in. ; tail, i ft. 4 in. ; ears, from i ft. 8 in. to 2 ft. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, 2 ft. 3I in. ; girth, 8| in. ; spread at tips, I ft. 9|- in. Rhebok \Peka capreold) — Height about 2 ft. 6 in. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, 8f in. ; girth, 2i in. ; spread at tips, 3A in. Klipspringer (Oreotagus saltator) — Height, I ft. 10 in. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, \\ in. ; girth, 2\ in. ; spread at tips, 3} in. Steinbuck {Nanotragus campestris) — Height, I ft. II in. The largest horns are recorded as 5I in. in length and 2 in. in girth, with 1 fin. spread at tips, this spread being often exceeded, however, by smaller horns, the maxi- mum being 2| in. Kirk's Antelope {Neotragus kirki) — Measurements of the female only are to hand, which are : Length of head, 4i in. ; of ear, 2^ in. ; of body and neck, i ft. i in. ; of fore-leg from elbow-joint, i\ in. ; hind-leg from knee, 10 in. ; hind-foot from heel, 6| in. Weight only a few pounds. The short horns are only 2 in. to 3 in. in length, about li in. in girth, and li in. to nearly 2 in. in spread at tips. Duikerbok {Cephalolophus griiiimi) — Al- though it is supposed that only the males are horned, yet Mr. Selous has met with three examples of horned females. Height about 2 ft. 2 in. Maximum measurements of different horns: Length, 5§in. ; girth, 2iin. ; spread at tips, 3 in. Four-Horned Antelope or Chousingha (Charsingha) ( Tefraceros^uadricorm's)— Height of male, about 2 ft. 2 in. at shoulder, and slightly higher at croup. The remarkable horns, which are only found in the male, have greater length in the posterior than in the anterior pairs. Maxi- mum measurements of different horns are : Of the posterior pair, length, 4f in. ; girth, 3 in. ; spread at tips, 3 in. Of the anterior pair, 2i in., 2f in. and 2^ in. respectively. White-Tailed Wildebeest or Gnu{Coj/- nochivks gnu) — Height, 4 ft. 6 in. at shoulder. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, i ft. io|in. ; breadth of palm, io| in. ;, spread at tips, i ft. 6| width inside, i ft. I ifm. Blue or Brindled Wildebeest or Gnu ( Connochxtes taurina) — Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, 2 ft. 2| in. ; breadth of palm, ^\ in. ; girth, i ft. 2^ in. ; spread at tips, I ft. 7^ in. ; width inside, 2 ft. 4^ in. Hartebeest {Bubalis caama) — Height, 4 ft. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, 2 ft. of in.; girth, iiiin. ; spread at tips, io|in. Hunter's Hartebeest {Bubalis hunteri) — Height, 4 ft. ; length of body, 4 ft. ; of tail, 1 ft. 3 in. ; cf ears, 6 in. Maximum measure- ments of different horns : Length, around curve, 2 ft. 2J in. ; in straight Hne, i ft. loin. ; girth, 8f in. ; spread at tips, i ft. 4 in. Tsessebe, Sassabi or Bastard Harte- beest {Bubalis lunatus) — Height, 3 ft. 10 in. to- 4 ft. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, i ft. 3f in. ; girth, 8J in. ; spread at tips> I ft. i§in. Blesbok (Bubalis albifnvis) — Height about 3 ft. 2 in. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, i ft. 6| in. ; girth, 6| in. ; spread at tips, I ft. o\ in. Bontebok {Bubalis pygargus) — Height, 3 ft. to 4 ft. Maximum horn measurements, which are those of one pair in the Briti.sh Museum, are : Length, i ft. 4§ in. ; girth, 6| in. ; spread at tips, 9^ in. Prong - horned Antelope {Antilocapra ainericana) — Height about 2 ft. 10 in. at shoulder, and 3 ft. or rather more at croup. Length of tail, 3 in. Weight, about 80 lbs. clean. Maximum measurements of different horns : Length, i ft. 5 in. ; with spread, i ft. 8 in. : girth, 65 in. Giraffe {Giraffa camelopardalis) — Height of males, 18 ft. to 19 ft. to crown of head ; females about 2 ft. less. Horns, a few inches in length. Red Deer {Cervus elaplms) — Height of a good stag, 4 ft. at shoulder. Weights of Scotch specimens range from 280 to 420 lbs., but one killed at ^\'oburn sixty years ago weighed 476 lbs. = 34 stone. Greater weights are, how- ever, attained by stags of Eastern and Northern Asia. Maximum measurements of different antlers : Greatest length around outside, 5 ft. 8 in., with a spread inside of 5 ft. 5 in. ; this pair had forty-four points, and their weight was 74 lbs. ; they were from Central Europe, prob- I 2 ^o8 THE ENCYCLOP.'EDIA OF SPORT [lilG CJAME ably Austria. The greatest spread, however — 6 ft. 3 j"^ in. — has been attained by a pair now in the King of Saxony's collection at Moritzburg, whose history dates back to 1586. Some of the pre- historic stags had antlers which carried astound- ing numbers of points, ranging from that given above to sixty-six. Between 161 1 and 1656, the Elector of Saxony killed 24,563 stags, ranging from one of thirty points to 1,192 of fourteen, of which the heaviest stag weighed 61 St. I libs.; 59 exceeded 56 stone; 651 ex- ceeded 48 stone ; 2,679 exceeded 40 stone ; and 4,139 exceeded 32 stone. Since that time, the deterioration of the German stags has been as marked as that of the British. In Northern Hungary, and in the Carpathian Alps, stags are still sometimes met with of the clean weight of from 35 to 40 stone. Of British stags, two only are recorded which carried twenty points ; one ( 1 1 -f 9) which was alive in Ireland, and the property of the late Sir Victor Brooke, and the other (10 -I- 10) shot by Lord Burton, in 1893, in the forest of Glen Quoich, Scotland. Kashmir Stag or Hangul ( Ccnnis cashiniri- /7«?«)— Height, 4 ft. 4 in. The weight of one is given as 400 lbs. as shot. ]\Iaximum measure- ments of different antlers : Length, 4 ft. 7 in. ; girth, 8 in. ; spread, from tip to tip, 2 ft. 11 in. ; width inside, 4 ft. i in. A piair recorded by the late Sir Victor Brooke had sixteen points. Sikkim Stag or Shou {Cervus afflnis) — Height up to 5 ft. Maximum measurements of different antlers : Length, 4 ft. vf in. ; girth, giin; spread between tips, 3 ft. 3iin. ; width insid(j, 3 ft. 9|in. Greatest number of points, thirteen. Wapiti {Cenisis) — This, which is called in America, of course erroneously, the " Elk," attains large proportions, and is probably not specifically distinct from the Asiatic Thian Shan Stag and its varieties. Height of stags from 5 ft. 4 in. to 5 ft. 8 in. Length, from tip of nose to tail, 9 ft. ; girth of body over heart, 6 ft. 8 in.; weight, from 700 to 1,000 lbs. ^Villiamson, however, records the abnormal weight of 1,200 lbs. Maximum measurements of different antlers : Length along beam, 5 ft. 5 in. (right), 5 ft. 4 in. (left) ; girth, i ft. 4iin. (but ?, 12 in. being an abnormal girth measurement between bez and trez) ; spread between tips, 4 ft. i|in. : width inside, 5 ft. i in. Greatest number of points, twenty-five. Japanese Deer (Ccnu/s s/ia) — No body- measurements nor weights are to hand. Maxi- mum measurements, which are those of one pair of horns : Length, 2 ft. 7:^ in. ; girth, 5^ in. ; spread between tips, 2 ft. 3^ in. ; width inside, 2 ft. 3 1 in. Greatest number of points recorded, sixteen. Axis, Indian Spotted Deer, or Chital {Ceri't/s i!.x/s) — Height very variable, that of a buck in Northern or Central India being from 3 ft. to 3 ft. 2 in., whilst in Southern India the height attained is from 2 ft. 6 in. to 2 ft. 8 in. ; weight, about 145 lbs. Maximum measurements of different antlers : Length, 3 ft. 2 J in. ; girth, 6h in ; spread between tips, 2 ft. 6i in. Greatest number of points, twelve. Sambar ( Cen'us unicolor) — Height,4 ft. 6 in.; weight of large specimens, 600 to 700 lbs. Maximum measurements of different antlers : Length around outside, 3 ft. loi in. ; girth above brow-tine, 7|in.; spread between tips, 3 ft. 8Jin.; width inside, 3 ft. 9I in. Greatest number of points, thirteen, but, in nine-tenths of the speci- mens recorded, the number is 3 -f- 3. Hog Deer (Cervus porciints) — Height, from 2 ft. to 2 ft. 3 in ; total length, 4 ft. ; weight as shot, 96 lbs. Maximum measurements of dif- ferent antlers : Length, i ft. 9 in. ; girth above brow-tine, t,\ in. ; spread between tips, i ft. 6|in. Swamp Deer (C('/T7« diivauceli) — Height ot bucks, 3 ft. 8 in. to 3 ft. 10 in; weight of large specimens, up to 570 lbs., i.e. 40 st. 10 lbs. Maximum measurements of different antlers : Length around outside, 3 ft. 5 in. : girth, sf in. ; spread between tips, 3ft. 2 fin; width inside, 3 ft. I If in. Greatest number of points, fourteen. Fallow Deer ( Cennis dama) — Height, about 3 ft. Length : head and body, 4 ft. ; tail, in- cluding hair, i ft. 2 in. ; caudal vertebra, 9 in. ; head, i ft. o\ in. ; ear, 6i in. Maximum measure- ments of different antlers : Length, 2 ft. 4f in. ; girth, 4f in. ; width of palm, 6 in. ; spread be- tween tips, 2 ft. 2 in. : width inside, 2 ft. 2 in. Greatest number of points, twenty-two. Indian Muntjac, Barking Deer, or Kakar {Cervulus muntjac) — Height, from I ft. Sin. to I ft. 10 in. Average length of antlers, 3 in. or 4 in. on pedicels of 4 in. or 5 in. ; but a maximum length of 1 1 in. is said to have been attained. Reindeer or Caribou {Rangifer faraiidus) — Notwithstanding the constantly reiterated opinions of sportsmen as to the specific distinc- tions between the Old World Reindeer and the New World Reindeer or Caribou, whether Woodland or Barren-ground, it will be better to consider that there is but one species, variable in size and coloration according to geographical distribution. Curiously, no body-measurements nor weights of the Old World form appear to have been recorded, but those of a " \\'oodland Caribou " bull are : Length from nose to root of tail, 6 ft. 7 in ; height at shoulder, 4 ft. 5 in. : height behind saddle on rump, 4 ft. 7 in. ; girth behind forelegs, 5ft. i in. ; length of neck (along top), I ft. 5 in. ; weight (estimated), 400 lbs. Of the horns— which, unlike those of other deer, are borne by the female as well as by the male — the maximum length is given as 5 ft. Maxi- mum girth, 7^ in.; spread between tips, 3 ft. 4 in. ; widest inside, 4 ft. of in. Greatest number of points, 20 -(- 27 = 47 ; this in a New \\'orld BIG game] THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF SPORT 109 specimen in the British Museum. Norwegian antlers, which appear to be smaller, have attained 32 points, and their measurements, in the order given above, are 3 ft. 2|in. ; Ss i"- ; 1 ft. gi| in. ; and 2 ft. 6^ in. Elk or Moose {A/ces //uuMs)— This, the greatest of all living deer, known in the Old \\'orld as the Elk, and in the New World as Moose, sometimes attains a height of 18 hands or more. Average body-measurements of Scandi- navian specimens over seven years old are — Height at withers, 5 ft. 8 in. to 9 in. ; at quarters, 5 ft. 5 in. to 6 in. ; from ground to belly, 3 ft. 4 in. Length, from crest to tail, 9 ft. 5 in. ; crest to nose, 2 ft. s in. Greatest girth, 6 ft. 11 in. to 7 ft. ; around thigh, 3 ft ; around forearm, i ft. 1 1 in. Weight (uncleaned), estimated as occasionally exceeding 1,400 lbs. The horn- measurements of one Scandinavian example are : Height of horns from tip of central brow point to tip of highest back point, 3 ft. i in. ; height of palmation, exclusive of said points, 2 ft. 6| in. ; 2 ft. 5 in. ; curve of inner edge of horns, from coronet to tip of inside back points, 2 ft. oi in. ; between tips of inner back points, I ft. I I'f in. ; between inner brow points, i li in. ; between tips of fifth points on either __side, fol- lowing curve and across brow, 4 ft. S^in. ; the same measurement, taut, 3 ft. sf in. ; across skull at brow, 7I in. ; fifth point (right), 6^ in. ; fifth point (left), 7-|in. ; around coronet, lo^in. ; around base of horn, 6 j\f in. Maximum measure- ments of various other European anders are : — Length of longest tine, 2 ft. 8 in. ; girth above burr, 7i in. ; spread between tips, 3 ft. 4 in ; greatest" width, 4 ft. ig in. ; breadth of palm, 1 ft. o^ in. Number of points, twenty-four. A pair of antlers, which appear to have no parallel, are of the American variety, and are stated to have attained a spread, from tip to tip, of 5 ft. 6 in. ; and another abnormal pair, which were but an inch less in spread, measured 3 ft. 5 in. along palmation, with a corresponding width of 2 ft. The next greatest measurements of different anders (American) are : Length, to longest tine, 3 ft. 3^ in., with girth above burr, 8i in. Spread between tips, 3ft. 6in. Greatest width, 4ft. ii:J in. Breadth of palm, i ft. Sin. Maxi- mum number of points, twenty-seven. Roe Deer {Capreolus caprea) — Height, 2 ft. 2 in. Weight of buck, about 60 lbs. Maximum length of horns, i ft. 3 in. (Austria) ; anything over 9 in. is, however, exceptional, and the next largest pair recorded — from Dorsetshire — have a length of 9I in., a girth of 5 in., and a spread of 5 in. between tips, the last measure- ment being exceeded by i in. in another pair, also from Dorsetshire. Pampas Deer (Cariacus campestris) — Height, about 2 ft. 6 in. Maximum measure- ments of different horns: length, i ft. 2|in. Girth, 3I in. Spread between tips, i ft. 2^ in. Points, normally six. Virginian or White-Tailed Deer (Grr/a- cus virginiamis) — Very ^^ariable in size. \\'eight, 180 lbs. to 200 lbs. Maximum measurements of different antlers : Length of one antler in British Museum, 2 ft. 3! in., with girth, 5I in., exceeded in last measurement by a pair, 5I in. Greatest spread between tips, i ft. 2i in. Widest inside, i ft. 7I in. Points, fifty-two. Mule-Deer {Cariacus macro/is) — Often called, in Colorado, the " Black-tail," which can only be properly applied to the next species. No actual body-measurements nor weights are given. Maximum measurements of different antlers : Length, 2 ft. 8 in. Girth, 6| in. Spread between tips, 2 ft. 3f in. Width inside, 3 ft. 5 in. Points, thirty-three. Black-Tailed Deer {Cariacus colutnbianus) — Weight, about 200 lbs. Maximum measure- ments of different antlers : Length, 2 ft. Girth, 5I in. Spread between tips, i ft. 4| m. 9I 1"- Width inside, 2 ft. 2 in. Points, twenty. There are many small deer, such as the Musk and the Chevrotains, characterised by the re- placement of horns by tusks, which may be passed over here, as, indeed, may be the camels, which are only found in a semi-wild state, or escaped from an ancient captivity. Guanaco {Lama gtianacus) — Height of full-grown male, about 4ft. Length, from 7 ft. to 8 ft. Wild Pig or Wild Boar {Siis scrofa) — Whether the European \\'ild Boar is specifically distinct from the Indian is rather a vexed ques- tion, but Mr. Lydekker, who is an accomplished biologist, and in the best position for judging, inclines to that belief; it is, therefore, to the former that the following measurements be- long : — Height, about 3 ft. 5 in. Extreme weight, 600 lbs. Maximum length of tusk round outside edge, iii in. Indian Wild Pig or Boar {Siiscrisfaius) — Height, from 2 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft. 4 in. (one of 3 ft. 7i in) at shoulder. Weight, from 200 lbs. to 300 lbs., or over. Maximum lengths of tusks of lower jaw, 10 in. and i ft. ; girth, about 2iin. "There are certain other pigs, such as the Red Bush Pig, the Babirusa, &c., the length of whose tusks sometimes exceeds i ft. 2 in., and the Wart-Hogs and Peccaries, which lead to the — Hippopotamus {Hippopotamus amphibncs) Height at shoulder, about 3 ft. 8 in. An old male, measured by Sir Samuel Baker, was 14 ft. 3 in. from snout to end of tail, this being about Weight of fresh hide, about 5 cwt. One length of 12 ft., kept in confinement. 9 m. of a weighed about 4 tons. Maximum tusk-measure- ments : Length around outside curve, 2 ft. 7 1 in. Girth, 9-Mn. Weight of a large pair, 1 5 lbs. Malayan Tapir (riz/zV^j- indicus) — Height at shoulder, 3 ft. to 3 ft. 6 in. ; at croup, about THE ENCVCLOP.-EDIA OF SPORT ['"' IG GAMK 4 in. more. Length from snout to root of tail, along curves, about 8 ft. South American Tz.'^vc {Tapirus amcrica- nus) — No measurements nor weights to hand. Indian Rhinoceros (Rhiiwceros uiiia>niis) — Height at shoulder, 5 ft. 9 in. Length, head and body, 10 ft. 6 in. ; tail, 2 ft. 5 in. Girth at chest, 9 ft. 8 in. ; of forearm, 3 ft. 2 in. Horn- measurements : Jerdon mentions one 2 ft. in length, and there is one in the British Museum 1 ft. 7 1 in. in length, and i ft. lof in. in girth. Javan or Lesser One-horned Rhinoce- ros {Rhinoceros sondaiciis) — .Sterndale gives the height at shoulder as 5 ft. 6 in. ; length, head and body, 12 ft. 3 in., including tail of 2 ft. 4A in. Horn of one in British Museum measures : Length, login. ; girth, i ft. 7 fin. Sumatran Rhinoceros {Rhinoceros suma- trcnsis) — Height at shoulder, 4 ft. to 4 ft. 6 in. ; length, tip of snout to root of tail, 8 ft. ; weight, about 2,000 lbs. Maximum length of anterior horn, 2 ft. 8|- in., with girth, i ft. 5! in. The posterior horn is often very small, not more than 2 in. or 3 in. African Rhinoceros {Rhinoceros bicornis) — Sir Samuel Baker and Selous state that the males may attain a height of from 5 ft. 6 in. to 5 ft. 8 in. at shoulder. An adult female stood 4 ft. 8i in. ; length, tip of snout to root of tail, 4 ft. \\\ in. ; tail, i ft. 9^ in. Maximum measure- ments of anterior horn : Length, 3 ft. 7 in. and 3 ft. 8 in. : girth, 2 ft. 2j in. Posterior horn: Length, i ft. 7! in. ; girth, i ft. 8A in. White or Burchell's Rhinoceros {Rhi- noceros simi/s) — Height at shoulder, ma.\imum 6 ft. 6 in. One, a male, mentioned at p. 329, P.Z.S. 1894, measured 6 ft. i-i in. at the withers ; length between uprights, 12 ft. i in. ; from lip along base of horns up between ears and follow- ing curves of back to root of tail, 13 ft. ; to tip of tail, 15 ft. 8^ in. ; girth behind shoulders, 10 ft. 3^ in. ; round fore-arm, 3 ft. 4I in. ; the width of the lip between the greatest depth of the nostrils is just under i2in. ; anterior horn measures 2 ft. 3 in. Maximum length of anterior horn, now in British Museum, 4 ft. 8i in., with girth, I ft. 11^ in. Others measure 3 ft. 8 in., with girth, i It. 8 in. ; 3 ft. 6| in., with girth, 2 ft. 1 1 in. Posterior horns are noted of i ft. 5I in. length. ; maximum girth, i ft. 75 in. Passing over the Tarpan or Wild Horse of Central Asia we come to — Zebra {Equus zebra) — Height at withers, 4 ft. to 4 ft 2 in. Burchell's Zebra {Equus hurchelli) — Height, 4 ft. 4 in. to 4 ft. 6 in. The Quagga and the Wild Asses may be passed over. There remain the two largest of beasts. Indian Elephant {Elephas indicus) — Aver- age height of adult male, about 9 ft. ; of adult female, 8 ft. A first-class " Koomeriah " or thorough-bred, which was probably sixty years of age, is stated by Sanderson to have measured 9 ft. 2 in. at shoulder. Sterndale gives 10 ft. l\ in. as the maximum authentic record, but a specimen killed by the late Sir Victor Brooke is .said to have stood 1 1 ft. ; and for another, whose skeleton now stands 1 1 ft. 3 in. in the Museum at Calcutta, an original height of 12 ft. is claimed, the same height being also attributed to a Ceylon example. An elephant's height is normally double the girth of its forefoot. The length of an animal, which stood 9 ft. 7 in. at shoulder, is given by Sanderson as 26 ft. 2^ in. from tip of trunk to tip of tail. The weight of an adult specimen does not appear to have been recorded, but a young male at the Zoological Gardens in 1881, whose height was 8 ft., weighed 2 tons, i7cwt., I qr., 23 lbs. ; and another, 7 ft. 6 in. in height, weighed 2 tons, 1 1 cwt., o qr., 23 lbs. The maximum tusk-measurements pertain to the only perfect tusk of the fine animal killed by Sir V. Brooke : Total length, outside curve, 8 ft., i.e. outside socket, 5ft. 9in., inside socket, 2 ft. 3 in. : greatest girth, i ft. 4ji7 in. ; weight, 90 lbs. Greater weights have, however, been attained ; a tusk of 6 ft. in length is stated to have weighed 100 lbs., and others, from the Garo Hills, are said to have reached 155 lbs. and 157 lbs. respectively. African Elephant {Elephas africanus) — The dimensions and weight of a male specimen, killed by H.R.H. the Duke of Coburg, are given as: Height at withers, loft. ; length, from tip of trunk to tip of tail, 23 ft. 5 in. ; from crown of head to tip of trunk, 1 1 ft. 3 in. ; girth, 16 ft. 6 in. : girth of head, 10 ft. ; from ear to ear, 9 ft. ; length of ear, 4 ft. 6 in ; entire weight, 4 tons, 8 cwt., 4 lbs. Of another male, killed by Sir John Kirk, the dimensions were : Height, 10 ft. 3 in. ; total length, 25 ft. 2 in. ; crown of head to tip of trunk, 9 ft. : tail, 4 ft. 2 in. ; maximum girth, 1 8 ft. ; girth of fore-foot, 5 ft. I in. ; width of ear, 3 ft. : length, 5 ft. 9 in. The respective dimensions of two elephants, shot by Selous and Jameson are given as : Height at shoulder, 10 ft. and 10 ft. 4 in. ; length of ear, 5 ft. 5 in. and 5 ft. 6i in. ; breadth, 3 ft. 3 in. and 3 ft. 4 in. : girth of fore-foot, 4 ft. 4^ in. and 4ft. 7iin. The renowned "Jumbo" stood 11 ft. at withers, and weighed 6 tons, 10 cwt. : and even this height is exceeded by one recorded in the Museum of Natural History, whose height is given as 1 2 ft. The dimensions and weight of a baby elephant, aged one hour, are stated to have been : Height at shoulder, 2 ft. loiin. ; length of trunk, i ft. ; tail, I ft. 8 in. ; girth at thorax, 3 ft. 9 in. : at abdomen, 4 ft. i in. ; at base of trunk, 9 in. : of fore-foot, I ft 5 in. ; weight, 213 lbs. Maximum tusks recorded : Length of one, 9ft. sin.; and i ft. loiin. in girth, which weighed 184 lbs. : weight, 173 lbs.; but this weisrht is said to have been exceeded bv a tusk Bic; horn] THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF SPORT weighing i881bs. The next weights are 172; 160; no; and 103 lbs., of the three last of ■which the respective lengths and girths are 9 ft. 4 in. and i ft. 8| in. ; 9 ft. 4 in. and i ft. 6 in. ; 7 ft. 9 in. and i ft. 7 in. The length of 20 ft. 9 in. given for a tusk by Gordon Gumming must be a mistake, inasmuch as its weight was but 173 lbs., and this is shown to be exceeded by other tusks, not half its length, ^^'eight of cows' tusks, 12 to 14 lbs. MoNT.\GU Browne. Bibliography — Africv — IVM Beasts and their Il'avs, Sir S. Baker (Macmillan). North : S/iart Stalks, E. N. Buxton (Stanford); IVesteni flarbaiy, J. H. Dnimnioml Hay (Murray). Soudan: Life with the Hamran Arabs, A. B. R. Myers (Smith, Elder). West : Travel aitd Adventure in the Congo Free State. " Bula n'Zan" (H. Bailey) (Chapman & Hall). East: East Africa and its Big Game, Capt. Sir J. C. Willoiighby {Longman-s): Through Masai Land, Jas. Thomson ; Seven- teen Trips throiii^h Sotnatiland, Capt. H. G. C. Swayne (Rowland Ward) ; Lion Hiintingin Soinaliland, Capt. C. J. .Melliss (Chapman & Hall); The Nile Tributaries of Altyssinia, .Sir .S. Baker (Macmillan). South : African Hunting and Adventure from Natal to the Zambesi, \V. C. Baldwin (Bentley) ; Gtnt and Camera in Southern Africa, H. A. Biyden (Stanford) ; I\loof and /i'arroo. Sport, Legend, and Natural LListory in Cape Colony, H. A. Bryden (Longmans); Live \ ears'" LLunting Ad- ventures in South Africa, R. Gordon Cumming(Simpkin, Marshall); Travels into the Interior of Africa (1796), John Barrow; Lake Ngami, C. J. Anderson (Hurst & Blackett); A Breath from the Veldt, J. G. Millais (Sotheran): Ln LLaunts of JVild Game, F. V. Kirby (Blackwood); The Sportsman in South Africa, J. A. Nicolls and \V. Eglington (Simpkin, Marshall); A LLuntey^s Wanderings in Africa, F. C. Selous (Bentley); Travel and Adventures in South-East Africa, F. G. Selous (Rowland Ward); Portraits of the Game and Wild Animals of Southern Africa, W. Cornwallis Harris; Wild Sports of Southern Africa, W. Cornwallis Harris ; iVen, JLines, and Animals in South Africa, Lord Randolph Churchill (Sampson Low); The Oha- vango Kiver, C. J. Anderson (Hurst & Blackett); The Hunter's Arcadia, Parlcer Gillmore (Chapman). America — North British: On Snow Shoes to the Barren Grounds, C. Whitney (Osgood Mcllvaine) ; Sport, Travel and Adventure m Newfoundland and the West Lndies,C^y^i. W. R. Kennedy (Blackwood) ; The Barren Ground of Northern Canada, Warburton Pike