THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



" And first I will begin with raches (running 

 hounds) and their nature, and then greyhounds and 

 their nature, and then alaunts and their nature, 

 and then spaniels and their nature, and then 

 mastiffs that men call curs and their nature, and 

 then of small curs that come to be terriers and 

 their nature." What these terriers were like 

 compared to the present-day breeds, it is difficult 

 to say, but no doubt they were hard-bitten animals, 

 well able to bolt otters or foxes. 



Having bolted the otter, probably several 

 hounds were then uncoupled, which kept the 

 quarry on the move, so that the men got plenty 

 of chances to use their spears. The otter was 

 allowed no law as is now the custom, but was 

 transfixed at the first opportunity. The spears 

 were evidently thrown at the otter, as well as used 

 to transfix him on the shallows. 



At a later date, in Somervile's days (1735) the 



spear was in general use, and it is mentioned as late 



as 1878 in the " Manual of British Rural Sports " 



by Stonehenge. Turning to the " Otter Hunting 



76 



