42 SPEARS. 



made by Thornhill, of Bond Street, I can drive 

 a hole through a dollar without turning the edge, 

 a sure proof that the best of " stuff" is used in 

 his factory. 



A stout male bamboo, sufficiently tapering, 

 and with knots pretty close together, makes the 

 best spear-shaft ; but a close-grained, well- 

 seasoned ash -pole is not a bad substitute. 



The spear ought to be well balanced, and it is 

 usual to have the butt weighted with lead for 

 that purpose. The spears of the Deccan and 

 Nugger Hunts were exactly 9 feet from the 

 extreme point to the butt, and this is, I consider, 

 the best length for general purposes. 



In Bengal many sportsmen use a spear only 6 

 feet in length, heavily weighted at the butt. 

 They are accustomed to throw this like a javelin, 

 or to job down when the horse gets alongside of 

 the boar ; whereas, in Madras and Bombay, hog- 

 hunters use the spear like a lance, but carried 

 loosely in the hand, so as to allow the free 



