NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 19] 
Arrian, and Oppian on Hunting, and as the old French treatise 
of Guillaume Twici is cited, mention should also have been made 
of the better-known works of Tardif and Du Fouilloux, especially 
as it was to the last-named author that our English Turbervile 
was mainly indebted when compiling his ‘ Noble Art of Venerie, 
or Hunting,’ in 1575. Amongst works of later date we should 
have expected to find W. Blane’s “ Cynegetica: or Essays on 
Sporting,’ consisting of observations on Hare Hunting, &c., 8vo, 
London, 1788, a book now seldom to be met with, but none the 
less deserving of mention. 
It is unnecessary, however, to pursue our criticism of this 
part of the Badminton volume further. Suffice it to say it is 
the weakest portion of the book. 
The second chapter of some fifty pages is entitled ‘Beasts of 
the Chase,’ and deals with the Stag, Fox, and Hare, in a highly 
entertaining manner, descriptions of the habits of these animals 
being pleasantly blended with instructions for hunting them. 
Passing over chapters III. to X., which deal with such subjects as 
the Stable, Kennel, Hunt Servants, the Horse, the Rider, &e., 
we come to Chapter XI., one of the best in the book, on “ The 
Otter and his Ways.” 
Human nature, we know, is little inclined to believe what it 
cannot see or realise, and doubtless the Otter and his habits are 
mysteries to most men, inasmuch as he is strictly a nocturnal 
animal, uever quitting his stronghold, except by compulsion, till 
after sunset, and then only to seek his prey and to disappear 
again with the first blush of morn. Then at night, if intruded 
on by man, the dark colour of his fur conceals him from view, 
while at the same time so eel-like and gentle are his movements 
in the water, that it would require a fine ear indeed to note his 
whereabouts :— 
“The ways of an Otter,’ says our author, “ are probably the least known 
and the most inscrutable of all our wild animals: so much so that its very 
existence is widely doubted in districts where Otter hounds are never seen ; 
and yet every river in the land pays tribute in turn to this night-wandering 
marauder.” 
In the following passage we are glad to find an assurance 
that, in spite of persecution, there is ho reason to apprehend 
that the Otter is in any immediate danger of becoming extinct :— 
