ECHOES OF THE CHASE 47 



The bamboo is smeared with wax or resin, and serves 

 the purpose of a torch or beacon. 



The unsophisticated deer are attracted to the spot 

 by the blaze of light, only to be shot down by the 

 party ensconced within the hut. When pitfalls are 

 employed, the hunters take care to excavate the soil 

 to such a depth that the deer cannot leap out of 

 the hole. The pitfall is carefully covered over with 

 slender bamboos and grasses. The male deer are 

 attracted to the vicinity of the pits intended for their 

 destruction by means of a call, which is made from 

 the skin of an unborn fawn. This instrument is re- 

 quired to enable the hunter to imitate the call of the 

 female deer. When the wild stags hear the cry of 

 the other sex they hasten in search of their consorts. 

 It is while seeking for their mates that they usually 

 drop into the pitfalls. The Chinese frequently shoot 

 deer ; but the quarry more often than not is marked 

 down in cover. Nets are then placed around the 

 thickets, and drivers accompanied by dogs proceed to 

 drive the deer into the nets. Mr. F. W. Styan, F.Z.S., 

 tells me that the Chinese attach great value to the 

 velvet of the stag of Kopsch's deer, which inhabits 

 certain hills which lie to the south of the Yangtze 

 valley. The velvet is in request for so-called medicinal 

 purposes. Accordingly, the natives organise large 



