174 VERMIN CURS TRAPPING. 



and reptiles, the snake, adder, and viper ; for in vari- 

 ous examinations in former days, it appeared to me 

 that there is a specific difference between the two 

 latter, particularly in size and length, and the colours 

 of the belly. ' Such animals, however, it would seem, 

 there necessarily must be, for though wolves, in old 

 time, were finally and completely exterminated in this 

 country, a similar end appears not to be attain- 

 able with respect to the minor breeds of depre- 

 dators. Our only resource then, and it ought to be 

 established as a general rule, is to reduce their 

 numbers by constant unceasing periodical attacks; 

 for if these, however immediately effective (to refer 

 particularly to the rat), should be, as is too usually 

 the case, subsequently neglected, a temporary ad- 

 vantage only is obtained, and a too numerous breed- 

 ing stock left. Such was the sound advice given 

 in a Pamphlet published many years since, inti- 

 tuled, " Multum in Parvo, or every man his own 

 Vermin Killer."' The best means to the above 

 ends, are keeping vermin curs and ferrets, and 

 when poison is used, arsenic is to be preferred, as 

 certain without deception. A few grains of this 

 are mixed with any article known to be attractive 

 to the vermin intended to be destroyed. From its 

 known danger, poison ought to be the ultimate 

 remedy employed. Trapping is a sort of retail 

 method, to be managed by the initiated in that 

 practice. The best vermin dogs, those also watch- 

 dogs, the .tongues of which when alarmed, nothing 

 could still, were those I had during my former 

 residence on Sudbury Green, Harrow on the Hill, 



