INTRODUCTION 



Coursing, as a national field sport, holds its own for antiquity 

 with any other that is now followed. How far back it dates 

 cannot, indeed, be precisely said, but it is at least certain that 

 very nearly nineteen hundred years ago coursing was practised 

 very much in the same manner as it is in the present day ; for 

 .Arrian, a.d. 150, wrote a long and elaborate treatise on the 

 subject, from which the studentmay ascertain thatinall essentials 

 the sport was what it remains ; though it may be added that 

 in its leading features it is not easy to see how it could be 

 otherwise conducted. 



Arrian describes coursing with an appreciation of sport 

 which will be cordially recognised. He insisted on letting the 

 hare have her start, creep from her form as if unperceived, and 



B 2 



