THE FOWLJNG-PIECE. 159 



if the latter are left in great numbers, they will teaze 

 the does to that degree as not only to prevent their 

 breeding properly, but even destroy them. 



The buck hare is remarkable in the rutting season 

 for setting in moist or wet situations. 



The Fowling -Piece. 



I am perfectly aware that a large volume might be 

 written on this subject; but, as my intention is to 

 give only such information and instruction as is ne- 

 cessary for the sportsman, I shall forbear introducing 

 any extraneous matter; at the same time, being care- 

 ful to omit nothing which can be useful even in the 

 remotest degree. That the fowling-piece is an ob- 

 ject of the first consideration will be readily allowed; 

 hence the necessity of beinir able to form an opinion 

 of its merits prior to laying out a considerable sum of 

 money on this article, as well as to prevent those 

 dreadful accidents which too frequently occur from 

 causes which at first sight are by no means obvious. 



The first thing that presents itself for notice under 

 this head is the barrel; which, from its nature, is li- 

 able to the following imperfections, viz. the chink, 

 the crack 9 and the flaw. The chink is a solution of 

 continuity, running lengthwise of the barrel. The 

 crack is a solution of continuity, more irregular in its 

 form than the chink, and running in a transverse di- 

 rection, or across the barrel. The flaw differs from 

 both i it is a small plate or scale which adheres to the 



