i8 The hoohe of Hunting 



hounds, then lyne your bytch with a yong dogge : for if (he be li- 

 ned with an olde dogge, the whelpes will become more heauie, 

 and Iq^g gallant. And herewithall vnderftand that it is not good 

 to coole a bytch when flie is proude in the water, for the water 

 doth congeale the bloude within the veynes and Arteries, 

 which may caufe hir to become maungie, or elfe that fhe fliall 

 haue wormes, tormentes, and grypes in hir bellye, and infinite 

 other difeafes which followe therevpon. When the bytches are 

 lyned, and that they beginne to be fydebellyed, you muft not 

 leade them on hunting for diuers caufes. One is, bycaufe the for- 

 ces which they fliall vfe in hunting, do marre and keepe from prof- 

 pering the little whelpes which are in their bellyes. Also that in 

 leaping ouer the hedges, and running through the woodes, euery 

 leaft rufli or knocke may make them caft their whelpes, where- 

 vppon might enfue diuers other euill happes which flioulde be long 

 to recytc. Then the beft is to let them onely pade vp and downe 

 the houfe or court, and neuer locke them vp in their kennell, 

 bycaufe they be importunate and longing, and therefore you 

 muft make them pottage once a day at the leaft. Furthermore, if 

 you would fpaye a bitch, it must be done before fhe haue euer had 

 litter of whelpes; and in fpaying of hir, it flial not be good to take 

 away all the rootes or firings of the veynes, for it is hard to take 

 them away without hurting of the reynes, and fo fliall you hyndcr 

 hir fwyftnefl'e euer after : but when fome rootes of thofe veynes 

 remayne, the bytche fhall be much the flronger, and more 

 hardie, and fliall the better endure payne and trauell. 

 Alfo you mufl take good heede that ye fpay 

 hir not when flie is proud, for then fhall you 

 put hir in great daunger of death, but fyf- 

 tene dayes after fhe hath lefte goyng 

 proude. And when the little 

 whelpes beginne to take 

 fliape within hir bel- 

 lye, then is befl 

 fpaying of a 

 bytche. 



Of 



