204 Otters and Otter-Hunting. 



Rudder. — The tail of the Otter. Occasionally 

 called the Pole. 



Scent. — The odour left by the Otter during his 

 nocturnal rambles, or on the water after he is 

 " put- down." 



Seal. — The track of an Otter, recognisable by the 

 mark of its five toes and the absence of a heel ; 

 to be sought in mud and sand. Also called 

 Spur and Mark. 



Shoal. — To drive an Otter into shallow water. 



Skirter. — A hound that will not work properly, 

 but remains on the bank when the pack are 

 swimming their Otter. 



Speak. — Of hounds, to give tongue when on a drag. 



Spear. — An obsolete weapon, consisting of a double 

 steel prong affixed to one end of an Otter-pole, 

 with which in former days (when but two or 

 three couples of hounds were used in chase) 

 the Otter was finally despatched on a shallow 

 by harpooning or spearing. 



Spraints (from the French efreindre, to squeeze 

 out). — The excrement of the Otter found on 

 banks and boulders ; it is agreeably scented, 

 like snuff. Also called Wedging. 



Spur.— The Seal of the Otter {g_.v.). 



Stain. — Both ground and water that have been dis- 

 turbed by the passage of hounds, cattle, and 

 human ^beings are said to be ''stained " thereby. 



