CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 65 



deer, when heated in the chase, or panting under 

 the summer sun, 'desireth the water-brooks,' and 

 performs ablutions with the regularity of the Mussul- 

 man. When a deer takes water he is said techni- 

 cally to 'soil,' and the place where he indulges 

 in the luxury of his bath is called his 'soiling pit,' or 

 'soiling pool.' Frequently these pits are found in 

 and near the deep coverts, and are rather mud baths 

 than water baths. No doubt, by wallowing in the 

 mud, the deer cools himself more effectually than by 

 taking a bath 'pure and simple,' and prevents the 

 attacks of the tiies, his constant and unceasing 

 tormentors during the heats of summer and autumn. 

 Deer swim with great ease and buoyancy. ' When 

 the harts passe the greate ryvers, or some arme of 

 the sea, to go to rut in some ile or forest, they 

 assemble* themselves in greate heardes, and knowing 

 which of them is strongest and best swimmer, they 

 make him go foremost, and then he that cometh next 

 him stayeth up his heade upon the backe of the firste, 

 and the thyrde upon the backe of the second, and 

 consequently al the reste do in like manner, to 

 the end that one may relieve the other, and when 

 the first is wearie another taketh her place. Plinie 

 sayeth that they can endure to swymme thirty miles 



* 'Art of Venerie,' p. 41. 

 E 



