TRACKING DEER BY SLOT. 133 



the sand gives a perfect mould of the stag's 

 hoof, into which if plaster were poured a 

 good copy would be obtained. But if the 

 sand has not the right degree of moisture 

 it spreads, and the marks look larger than 

 they should. In moist, clay-like earth the 

 slot, too, is good, and just at the edge of 

 water. 



Weather interferes with slot, especially 

 heavy rain, which washes it out ; nor is 

 continued drought and heat advantageous, 

 as the earth becomes so firm it will not 

 yield. A slight shower is best; in fact, the 

 harbourer likes the ground prepared for 

 him, much the same as those who cast pre- 

 pare their earth for moulding. In judging 

 whether the marks are recent or not, the 

 state of the weather must especially be 

 borne in mind. The right meaning of these 

 minutiae is not of course to be learned with- 

 out long and constant practice ; a guinea 



