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that it has great power in relieving | forth; and produce rarely above many painful and obstinate nervous eleven eggs at a time, each about and muscular affections. the size of a blackbird's, and linked together in the womb like a string of beads; each egg containing from one to four young ones; so that the whole of a brood may amount to about twenty or thirty. Mr. White informs us, in his History of Selborne, that a viper which he opened, had in it fifteen young ones of the size of earth-worms, about seven inches long. They twisted and wriggled about with great alertness; and, when touched, erected themselves, and gaped very wide, exhibiting tokens of menace and defiance, though no fangs could be perceived, even with the assistance of glasses: which the author remarks as an instance, among others, of that wonderful instinctive knowledge young animals possess of the position and use of their natural weapons, even before these weapons are formed. Vipers feed on frogs, lizards, mice, toads, and young birds: they are capable of enduring very long abstinence, and appear to live occasionally on those well known, nutritious substances floating in the atmosphere, and which are continually taken in by animal respiration; their young separated from every thing but air, will grow considerably in a few days. When at liberty vipers remain torpid throughout the winter; but when confined have never been known to take their annual repose: in this latter state, however, if mice, their favourite diet, be given them, though they will kill, they will not devour them. Their poison, too, decreases in proportion to the length of their incarceration. The method of catching them is by putting a cleft stick on or near the head; after which they are seized by the tail and put into a bag. The vipercatchers are frequently bitten by them, notwithstanding this precaution: yet we rarely hear of the wound proving fatal, if early attended to, by rubbing the affected part, or the whole limb, with salad oil.

ADDER STUNG. A term used, when horses or cattle are stung or bitten by any venomous reptile, or by hornets, horse-flies, wasps, hedgehogs, shrews, &c. The common British viper or adder abounds in the Hebrides, and in many parts of Britain, particularly in chalky, dry, and stony districts. According to Pennant and other naturalists they are viviparous, but proceed from an internal egg. This viper seldom exceeds two feet in length, though Pennant tells us he once saw a female nearly three feet long. The ground colour of the male is a dirty yellow, that of the female deeper. Its back is marked the whole length with a series of rhomboidal black spots, touching each other at the points; the sides with triangular ones; the belly black. There is a variety wholly black; but the rhomboidal marks are very conspicuous, being of a deeper and more glossy hue than the rest. The head of the viper is inflated, which distinguishes it from the common snake. Catesby says, that "the difference between vipers and snakes or other serpents is that the former have long hollow fangs or tusks, with an opening near the point; the neck small, the head broad, the cheeks extending wide, scales rough, the body, for the most part, flat and thick; they are slow of motion; swell the head and neck when irritated; and have a terrible and ugly aspect." The tongue is forked, the teeth small; the four canine teeth are placed two on each side the upper jaw: these instruments of poison are long, crooked, and capable of being raised or depressed at the pleasure of the animal. Vipers are said not to arrive at their full growth, till the sixth or seventh year; but that they are capable of engendering in the second or third. They copulate in May, and are supposed to remain impregnated for three months before they bring

A remarkable instance of the efficacy of olive oil in neutralizing the effects of the viper's poison occurred at Bath nearly a century since, in the person of one Oliver, a noted catcher of these reptiles, who is said to have discovered this admirable remedy.

In the presence of a great number of persons, this man suffered himself to be bitten by an old black viper (brought by one of the company) upon the wrist and joint of the thumb of the right hand, until blood issued from the wounds: even before the viper was loosened from his hand he felt a violent burning pain in his arm: in a few minutes his eyes began to look red and fiery, and to water much; in less than an hour the venom reached his heart, with a throbbing pain, attended with faintness, shortness of breath, and cold sweats: soon after his belly began to swell, accompanied with vomitings and purgings: during the violence of these symptoms he lost his sight, but retained his hearing. After the lapse of an hour and a quarter, a chaffing-dish of glowing charcoal was brought in, and his naked arm held over it, while his wife rubbed in the oil with her hand, continually turning his arm round the poison soon abated, but the swelling did not diminish much most violent purgings and vomitings followed; and the pulse became so low and so often interrupted, that a repetition of cordial potions was deemed proper, from the effects of which, however, the patient was not sensible of deriving any great relief, as he expressed himself; but that a glass or two of olive oil which he drank seemed to give him ease. Continuing in this state, he was put to bed, by Dr. Mortimer's direction, (the physician who drew up the case), and rubbed with olive oil, heated in a ladle over the charcoal. From this last operation he declared he found immediate ease, as if by some charm: he soon after fell into a profound sleep, and, after about

nine hours sound rest, awoke about six the next morning, and found himself very well; but in the afternoon, on drinking some rum and strong beer, so as to be almost intoxicated, the swelling returned with much pain and cold sweats, which abated on bathing the arm as before, and wrapping it up in brown paper soaked in the oil. In corroboration of the efficacy of vegetable oil, as an antidote to the poison of the adder or viper, we quote the writer of a paper in the fourth volume of the Annals of Sporting, who says, "If olive oil should not be at hand common sweet oil will answer the purpose, as I have several times tried it upon dogs which have been bitten by vipers or adders."

Notwithstanding the dreadful effects of the viper's bite, the flesh is celebrated as a restorative. The old remedy for an adder's sting consists of dragon's blood, barley meal, and the white of an egg.

ADVANCER. One of the starts or branches of a buck's attire, between the back antler and palm.

EGYPTIACUM. This composition takes its name from its dusky colour, wherein it resembles that of the natives of Egypt. It is chiefly used as an external application for cleansing foul ulcers, and keeping down fungous flesh. We extract the following recipe from the Pharmacopæia in use at the Royal Veterinary College, Pancras: Egyptiacum. Verdigris (subacetate of copper) eighteen ounces; alum in powder, six ounces; vinegar, twelve ounces; treacle, ten ounces. Boil gently together, and add, sulphuric acid, two ounces and a half.

AFFOREST. To turn a tract of

land into a forest. On the contrary, disafforested implies land discharged from being a forest, reduced from the privileges of forest to common ground.

AFTER-MATH, or AFTER-GRASS. The second crop, or grass which springs up after mowing; or grassmath that is cut after some kinds of

"

AIR. See EXERCISE.

corn. "In cutting rowen, or second | inner leg, inner rein, &c. are called crops of grass," says Mr. Loudon, Inner Aids. The outer heel, outer more attention will be requisite leg, outer rein, &c. are called Outer than in the first, as the crops are Aids. mostly much lighter and more difficult to be cut, the scythe being apt to rise and slip through the grass without cutting it fairly, except when in the hands of an expert workman."

AGARICA, AGARIC, AGARICUM, or AGARICUS. A fungous excrescence growing on the trunk of the larch tree and upon some kinds of oak. It was formerly used as a styptic, but is banished from modern practice, as exciting insupportable nausea, also being inefficacious and unsafe. AGE OF A HORSE. See HORSE. AGE OF A HART, is ascertained from the furniture of his head. At a year old bunches only appear; at two years old the horns are developed, but straighter and smaller; at three they grow into two spars or antlers; at four into three, and so increase annually in branches, until the animal is six years old, after which its age must be guessed from the size of the antlers, and the thickness of the branch which sustains them.

AGISTMENT. Where cattle are taken into pasture at a certain rate per week. It is so called because the cattle were suffered "agiser," that is, to be levant and couchant, in the King's Forest.

AGISTOR. "An officer that takes in cattle of strangers to feed in a forest, and receives for the king's use such tack-money as becomes due upon that account.' The office is held by letters patent; and four agistors are appointed to every forest where his majesty has any pannage, or swine's food. They are also called in English" Guest-takers," or "Gisttakers."

AID (in the Manège), called also cherishing, is used to avoid the necessity of correction, and consists in helping a horse to work true and mark his motions with exactness. See BROUILLER. The inner heel,

AIR (in the Manège) is a cadence or freedom of action, accommodated to the natural disposition of the horse, which makes him rise with obedience, measure, and exactness of time.

AIR GUN. Of all weapons, this is the most dangerous, and the best advice I can give the young ones, is never on any pretext to have one in their possession. Air guns have been in vogue for a considerable period on the continent, as well as in England; but none are so safe, (if safety can be an attribute of such a missile) as those manufactured in the last mentioned country. A variety of forms has been adopted in their construction to please the eye, and to add to their power of propelling; but none answer better than those constructed with a stock, like the ordinary fowling-piece, which has a spheroid ball, or large copper

bulb just under the lock. This ball is filled with common air, pumped into it by an instrument of that name, and when filled is attached to the missile by a nutt, which screws on, and thus prevents the escape of the air. The trigger being pulled, the valve instantaneously opens, whereby a sufficient portion of air rushes into the barrel, and the bullet is sent forth with great velocity. But as successive firings absorb the air, from a parity of reasoning the strength of the projectile becomes lessened, and ultimately enfeebled; until the pump is again had recourse to. In point of fact, from the first shot, a failing of strength progressively takes place. That great emporium, Birmingham, has the honour

of turning out a great variety of this instrument of treachery and destruction; for the best of all reasons, because most of our first-rate town gunsmiths have a very proper dread in making or exposing them for sale. The regular poacher is seldom without his friend the air gun, and to him it is well adapted; inasmuch, as it is made up in such disguised forms, walking-sticks, umbrellas, &c. that all suspicion becomes lulled, and as the ball for the air gun is so easily detached, and hid about the person, he must be a sagacious keeper, who, if he seizes the walkingstick, &c., can discover the viper which lurks within. A very clear and scientific writer has laid it down, that gunpowder contains a thousand times its own bulk of fixed air, or more properly speaking, that a grain or charge of gunpowder on its ignition, generates an air or fluid, which expands until it is a thousand times larger than its original bulk; so that gunpowder will be strong in proportion to its expansive power on ignition. We all know the gun's power of impulsion arises from compressed air, and from the same projectile force is the air gun acted on, but in a different mode, and of a different quality. The walking-sticks have no spheroid ball for the air, the breech of the barrel being constructed to answer the purpose. It is probable that the air gun from its quiet mode of propelling the bullet, took precedence of the cross-bow; for this reason, that it is more powerful in its stroke or blow, and more convenient to the party using it. I have seen air guns of antique manufacture*, of a most unconscionable length; doubtless, from the supposition that, as in guns ignited by powder, the longer the barrel, the greater force is given to the re

* An instrument of this description was

invented by Ctesibus of Alexandria, one hundred and twenty years before Christ, and the first modern account of an air gun will be found in the Elements d'Artillerie of David Rivaut, preceptor to Louis XIII. of France.

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sisting body. This reasoning, however, has been proved false, with respect to both weapons. Air guns may be well enough for a park keeper to kill a buck, but then he must be very near, or no fatal blow is given; and we all know, in our extensive parks, where the deer are wild and shy, how difficult it is to get within range of the antlered monarch, even with a rifle; so that much time must necessarily be spent to catch a buck napping so much, as to let the air gun be successfully used against him. Rookeries have sometimes the honour of having this treacherous weapon exercised on the sable habitants of the trees, but still, it is not in any degree equal to the rabbit rifle; and as this weapon may be so treacherously applied against man, by his cold blooded fellow, I would put a veto on the manufacture of the weapon in toto.

AIRING, of horses, purifies the blood, purges the body, hardens the fat, teaches him to take his wind equally, and keep time with the actions and motions of his body, and lastly, it sharpens the appetite. Horses should be brought forth to air immediately after sun-rise, and just before sun-set.

AIRY, or AERY. The nest of a hawk or eagle.

ALANDES. The ancient term for wolf-dogs.

ALANERARIUS. The keeper or manager of spaniels or setters used in falconry. Obsolete.

ALCOHOL. The purely spirituous part of all liquors that have undergone the vinous fermentation, and derived from none but such as are susceptible of it. As a chymical agent it is of the highest importance, and in its various combinations involving all the grand principles of the science.

malt liquor, occasionally given to horses, cattle, &c. in cases where a cordial remedy is required. To the former it may be administered with advantage, on unusually long jour

ALE. A well known fermented

neys, or after extraordinary fatigue. Its advantages, however, have been frequently abused.

also the difference in weight, made
in stakes to colts or fillies, the get
or produce of an untried sire or
dam, viz. one whose produce has
never run in public.

ALLURE. See LURE.
ALMOND TUMBLER.
PIGEON.

See

ALEXIS. A chestnut colt, foaled 1770, bred by Mr. Scawen, was got by Herod, dam by Shakspeare; grandam by Cade; great grandam (sister to Lodge's Roan Mare) by Parker; great great grandam by ALOES. A cathartic juice exDale's horse [bred by Lord Cardi- tracted from the common aloes tree. gan, and got by the duke of Rich- At present various sorts are met mond's Turk, out of a full sister to with, distinguished either by the Leeds] great great great grandam, place whence they are derived, by by Whynot; great great great great the species of the plants, or by grandam, by Wilkinson's Bay Ara- some difference in the juices thembian out of a Natural Barb Mare, selves. Those commonly sold in the the property of Lord Arlington (se-shops may be arranged in three cretary of state to Charles the Se- classes, viz. 1. Common or Barbacond), to whom she was sent as a does aloes; 2. Caballine or fetid present by the emperor of Morocco. aloes, chiefly distinguished by its Alexis started twenty times, and strong, rank smell; and 3. Socowas ten times a winner. In 1774, trine or Cape aloes. Of the aloes he became the property of Sir used in veterinary practice, a moCharles Bunbury: in 1776, he raced dern writer observes, "In a public twice only, but proved unsuccessful; establishment like the college, where in 1777, he covered at Barton, at the horse, under physic, can be exfive guineas. His winnings are esti-ercised as much as the head of the mated at 3,675 guineas.

ALIMENT. See FOOD.

ALL ABROAD. When a horse is pushed beyond his strength, and the fore legs spread out, the animal is said to be "all abroad."

ALL-AGE PLATES OF STAKES. Those for which any horse, mare, or gelding may enter, carrying weight according to age, with allowances, and in certain cases extra weight, according to circumstances.

ALLAY. To allay a pheasant is to carve it when served up at table. Obsolete.

establishment chooses to order, or where in fact he can be exercised till the physic does work; or in a cavalry regiment, where the same facilities exist, Cape aloes may be used; yet even there the Barbadoes are preferable, as more certain, and far less liable to gripe." Of all the known purges administered to the horse, this is unquestionably the most efficacious. All the experiments made on oils by Mr. W. Percival, as cathartics in horses, have proved them to be uncertain, if not dangerous, in their operation.

ALLODIAL LANDS. Where ALPINE HARE. See HARE. an inheritance is held without ac- ALTERATIVES. Such mediknowledgement to any lord or supe-cines as have a power of changing rior, in contradistinction to feudal. the constitution, without any sensiThere are no allodial lands in this ble increase or diminution of the country, all being held either me-natural evacuations. The following diately or immediately of the king. alterative ball has been administered Lords paramount of manors were with the greatest success :— -Cinnaanciently styled allodarii. bar of antimony, three ounces; balsam of sulphur, two ounces; camphor, one ounce; nitre, four ounces. To be made into ten balls, one of which may be given weekly to horses

ALLOWANCE (in Racing). The weight, generally three pounds, which mares and geldings are allowed to carry less than horses;

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