ADVICE TO HUNTERS. 259 



Following them over rotten ground is the 

 most dangerous part of the sport. It is not 

 uncommon to see two or three horses tumble 

 at the same instant, going over ground to all 

 appearance perfectly even and smooth.* Such 

 ground, I imagine, is made hollow by a quantity 

 of saline matter in the earth being dissolved in 

 the rainy season, and carried off through cracks 

 or small holes in the turf, which otherwise 

 remains perfect, but gives way to the weight of 

 the horse, when he suddenly sinks to a consider- 

 able depth, and cannot avoid falling with the 

 rider. 



* As severe falls from horses frequently occur in hog 

 hunting-, it is desirable that one of a party should be provided 

 with a lancet. Without presumption I may safely say, that 

 1 have saved many lives after such falls, by being enabled to 

 draw off blood immediately on the spot. 



