122 EQUIPMENT. 



wood-craft has many things to guide him. The 

 moss which grows upon the trees he knows is 

 partial to the shade, and therefore always thick 

 est on the north side; on the warm and sunny 

 side of the tree (the south) he knows the branches 

 are most frequently the largest, and his course 

 is governed accordingly. In the swamp, he may 

 be sometimes guided by the direction of the 

 wind ; but this is at best a fickle resource, for, 

 should it change, it might lead him in a direc- 

 tion contrary to that desired. Perhaps the water 

 may flov slowly through the swamp, and this 

 may be sufficient to guide him ; but it is often- 

 er stagnant, and then affords no clue. To be 

 on the safe side, carry a compass. 



You may determine from which side the wind 

 comes, even when the air is seemingly still, by 

 holding above your head your wet finger, which 

 you have previously held in your mouth until 

 warm ; it will be plainly felt to cool first on 

 the windward side. 



Cracked Hands. — Duck-shooters are frequently 

 troubled with chapped and cracked hands ; the 

 alkaline deposits of burned powder, and the con- 

 tinual wetting of the hands whilst picking up 

 game and decoys, rendering such a condition in 



