Bill of middle size, strong, straight, much pointed, compressed.
Nostrils at the sides of the base, concave, oblong, half shut by a
membrane, pierced from part to part. Legs of middle length, drawn
towards the belly beyond the equilibrium of the body; shanks compressed;
three toes before, very long, entirely webbed; the hind toe short,
articulated upon the shank, carrying a small loose membrane. Claws flat.
Wings short; the first quill the longest. Tail very short and
rounded.—_Montagu._
COMB, _s._ An instrument to separate and adjust the hair; the top or
crest of a cock; the cavities in which the bees lodge their
honey.
COMFORTER (_Canis consolator_), _s._ A species of dog.
This beautiful little dog seems to be a cross betwixt the Maltese and
the smaller spaniel described in the last section. His colour is
generally white, with black or brown patches; his ears are long, and his
head broad on the upper part, with an acute muzzle; the hair is long
over the whole body, with the fore-legs feathered. His tail is curled,
and feathered with very long hairs. This is the smallest of any of the
distinct races of dogs, frequently not above a foot from the tip of the
nose to the point of the tail.
This elegant little animal is used as a lap-dog, or as an attendant on
the toilet or in the drawing-room. He is most affectionate to all the
members of the family in which he resides; but is very snappish to
strangers, whose familiarity he will seldom permit.—_Brown._
COMMERCE, _s._ A game at cards.
Of this game there are two distinct methods of playing, the new and the
old mode. The new way is played by any number of persons, from three to
twelve, with a complete pack of 52 cards, bearing the same import as at
whist, only the ace is reckoned as eleven. Every player has a certain
quantity of counters, on which a fixed value is put, and each, at every
fresh deal, puts down one for the stake. Sometimes the game is
continued, or not finished, till one of the players has lost all the
counters given at the commencement; but in order to prevent it from
being spun out to an unpleasant length, or concluded too soon, it is
often customary to fix the duration to a determinate number of tours, or
times, so that the whole party shall deal once each completely round.
After determining the deal, the dealer, styled also the banker, shuffles
the pack, which is to be cut by the left-hand player; then three cards,
either altogether or one by one, at the dealer’s pleasure, are given to
each person, beginning on the right hand, but none are to be turned up.
If the pack prove false, or the deal wrong, or should there be a faced
card, there must be a fresh deal. There are three degrees or ranks in
this game. The first, which takes place of all others, is what is called
the tricon, or three cards of the same denomination, similar to pair
royal at cribbage; the next in rank is the sequence, or three following
cards of the same suit, like tierce at piquet; and the last, the point,
being the greatest number of pips on two or three cards of a suit in any
one hand. As to all these parts, the higher disannuls the lower. For the
old method &c. _vide_ _Hoyle_.
COMMON, _s._ An open ground equally used by many persons.
COMMONAGE, _s._ The right of feeding on a common.
CONCAVE, _a._ Hollow, opposed to convex.
CONDITION, _s._ Quality, that by which any thing is denominated good
or bad; natural quality of the mind, temper, temperament.
Condition, as regards horses, is a term conventionally well understood;
but beyond the precincts of the stable, it is neither precise nor
technical. The term, in common parlance, might be supposed to imply
nothing more than the symptoms and appearances which usually betoken
health. Thus, when a horse is in perfect health, he ought, under this
view of it, to be considered as in perfect _condition_; and, on the
contrary, when a horse is in any respect out of health, he should be
considered as out of _condition_; that is, in a _condition_ that neither
fits him for perfect service to his owner, nor for perfect comfort to
himself.
The accidental causes of this latter (morbid _condition_) are various; a
very common one is found in injudicious feeding, both as to quality and
quantity. Any sudden alteration in the articles of a horse’s diet will
frequently, according to the term of horse amateurs, “_throw him out of
condition_,” such as removing him from the grass field or the straw yard
to a full allowance of dry hay and corn, with a scanty supply of water
“_to draw up his belly_;” all which are perhaps done at once, without
the smallest preparation. In these cases the alimentary canal, being
hardly yet in a state of digesting capacity, suffers from the increased
powers necessary to draw nutriment from substances which, although in
themselves more nutritious, yet are, in this instance, less digestible
than those before in use. Thence follow costiveness, heat, and thirst;
as well as an unhealthy state of the coat, which stares, and feels harsh
and dry, being a necessary consequence of the ordinary sympathy between
the stomach and the skin. A sudden remove from a generous to a poor diet
is unfavourable to _condition_ likewise; for in such case the chyle or
nutritious pabulum, from whence all the vital organs are recruited, and
all the vital energies derive their vigour, cannot be separated in
sufficient quantities: the blood thereby becomes deteriorated; universal
absorption takes place of the softer parts, which produces lessened
bulk; while a laxity of fibre in the remaining portions is productive of
langour and debility. The quality of the food is also of considerable
consequence to the _condition_. Mow-burnt hay, by exciting a partial
diabetes, is very apt to “_throw a horse out of condition_.” Musty hay,
also, and oats highly kiln-dried, have an unfavourable effect on it
also. The liquid aliments should likewise be attended to in a
consideration of the _condition_. Mineral waters are unfavourable to it
in most cases; although there is reason to believe that in some morbid
affections they are salutary. Sea-water may be considered in the same
light, but a continued use of the brackish water found near sea-bathing
places, is unfavourable to the _condition_ of such horses as have not
been accustomed to it: to which, in union with the bad care taken of
them in most of the livery stables of the sea-coast bathing, I attribute
the universal complaint of the ill-condition in which they so frequently
return from thence. Badly ventilated stables, excess of clothing, and
deprivation of water, are also frequent causes of _morbid condition_, as
I have often witnessed: for, in some of these cases, after a course of
purgatives, followed by alteratives and tonics, has failed, the more
simple means of succulent food, a proper quantity of water, a well
regulated but perfectly cool stable, with a free access of air, and very
moderate clothing, have created an immediate change. An inordinate
quantity of exertion, particularly if continued unremittingly for
several days, will often produce _morbid condition_; and this in cases
where the feeding has been, as supposed, equal to the tasks required. It
is particularly likely to happen to young horses, and to such as have
not been sufficiently prepared: in which cases, it is clear that the
stomach, participating with the general debility, has a double task to
perform in digesting a larger quantity of nutriment than usual, to make
up the increased wants of the constitution; and thus the evil is
increased by adding the further deterioration of this organ to the
others. I know of no state of morbid condition which often proves so
obstinate as this; and which is often found at last only to give way to
a good salt-marsh run. Drastic purgatives, or violent remedies, as the
mineral acids, when injudiciously continued, reduce the _condition_ very
quickly, and sometimes irrecoverably. Another principal cause of want of
condition is the alternation of heat with cold. A sudden check to the
natural or acquired heat of the body, particularly if aggravated by the
evaporation of a perspiring state, and great previous exertion, as a
sudden check after a severe burst with the hounds.
* * * * *
After a general enumeration of the causes of morbid condition, Mr.
Blaine continues:—But to proceed with this important subject with some
regularity, I would direct that in young plethoric horses, with much
flesh on them, and which are, of all others, the most subject to take on
this state of _morbid condition_, that one or two moderate bleedings may
be premised, particularly in such as have been full fed for some time
previous. If the inner surface of the eyelids, or of the nasal
membranes, show any tinges of red, it is still more necessary to bleed;
and in such cases I would repeat the same with moderation once or twice
more, or until this inflammatory appearance should be removed. I have
found this, united with mashing, in many instances sufficient to relax
the hide and reduce the rugous tumefaction of the lampas. In most cases,
however, some more active internal remedies will be found necessary with
a young and plethoric patient: thus one or two very mild doses of
physic, preceded by a nightly mash, into which ten grains of submuriate
of mercury (calomel) has been mixed, are proper. If there be joined to
the affected hide, and the swollen or clammy mouth of lampas, any
eruptions on the skin, or any cracks of the heels, stable soiling, or
even daily turning out to grass, are advisable; but as these cases
usually happen when the animal is either at present wanted, or is
intended soon to be used, so I have not mentioned _turning out_
altogether; yet, if these appearances prove obstinate, such a course
will be advisable, provided the season and other circumstances are
favourable to the proceeding. But when neither the partial nor total
turning out to grass is convenient, and when soiling is likewise not
practicable, still the use of carrots as manger food can be resorted to.
To this treatment may be added, after the administration of the physic,
a nightly alterative.
Crude antimony
Supertartrate of potash of each 2
(cream of tartar) or 3 drs.
Nitrate of potash (nitre)
Or,
Supertartrate of potash 2 or 3 drs.
Nitrate of potash do.
Powdered sulphur ¼ oz.
Both of these will gently stimulate both the stomach and kidneys, and
produce, by consent of parts, a favourable effect on the skin, and hair
also. Violent diuretics are never advisable; nor have I seen their
mildest form, unaccompanied by other remedies, produce much good, unless
there have been, in addition to the other symptoms, swelled legs, either
with or without discharge.
When _morbid condition_ arises in such horses as, from age, previous
deprivations, severe work, long confinement in bad stables, or feeding
on unwholesome provender, are not to be supposed plethoric; even then,
if no actual debility is present, I have often derived great benefit by
commencing the treatment with a very mild dose of physic, the horse
being previously fully mashed, to make a small quantity of aloes
sufficient; for I have generally found that the stomach tonics to be
afterwards administered have had double effect from this previous
preparation of the alimentary canal. But where the debility has been
extreme, or where there has been already sufficient laxity of bowels, or
perhaps even superpurgation from drastic physic, begin at once with
either of the following tonics, or of any of those detailed under that
head in the Materia Medica:—
Socotrine aloes, in powder 1 dr.
Winter’s bark, ditto 2 drs.
Ærugo (verdigris) 1 dr.
Treacle or honey to form a ball.
Or,
Oxide of arsenic (arsenic) 8 grs.
Pimento (allspice) in powder 1 dr.
Extract of gentian ½ oz.
Make into a ball with liquorice powder. Or,
Sulphate of copper 1½ gr.
Sulphate of iron ditto
Powdered ginger 1 dr.
Horse turpentine to form a ball.
Either of these formulæ may be given some time in each day, at the
convenience of the practitioner or owner. It would, however, where
practicable, be more prudent to let it be given in the morning, fasting,
allowing the horse but a handful or two of hay for an hour after its
exhibition. If a liquid form only can be got down, either of the above
mixtures may be dissolved and horned down as a drink, with ale; but
active mineral agents seem to produce their effect best in mass. In all
cases of _morbid condition_, marked with emaciation and debility, a full
allowance of carrots is advisable; and in default of them, or
alternating with them, malt mashes or speared corn may be usefully
brought in aid of the other tonics.
* * * * *
When a horse returns from grass, or straw-yard, both his external
appearance, and the internal state of his body, in general, require
considerable _alteration_ before he can be said to be fit for the uses
to which he is applied by man.
To promote ‘_condition_’ in a horse from grass, his dieting and
watering, the temperature to which he is removed, his clothing,
grooming, and exercise, are the circumstances particularly to be
attended to. Physicking is also a usual and necessary appendage to the
other parts of the treatment.
It would be most imprudent to take a horse from so moist a food as
grass, and at once to place before him hay and corn without caution or
limitation. Coming from a straw-yard, this restraint is not so
imperative; yet even in this case, little corn should be given at first:
but following the removal from grass, both corn and hay should be
allowed but sparingly, particularly the former. The hay given for the
first two or three days should likewise be moistened, by sprinkling it
with water; the corn allowed should also be mixed with bran, by which
the dangers of constipation and repletion may be avoided. The
constipating effects of the removal from a moist to a dry course of
feeding, may be further obviated by a nightly bran mash. The bran
mashing may likewise be extended to twice a day, or until the bowels be
somewhat relaxed, if the horse be very full in flesh, or have his skin
at all tight, or eruptive; or if the legs be inclined to swell. In all
which cases it likewise tends to shorten the process, and prevent that
almost irrecoverable hide-binding, which often follows these
appearances, if succulent food, particularly carrots, be mixed with, or
even wholly substituted for, hay. The privation of grass renders it
prudent that water should at first be given in sufficient quantity: it
is often withheld, with a view to harden the flesh and get up the belly:
but this treatment at first is erroneous, and by exciting heat, thirst,
and indigestion, frustrates its own intention. The _temperature_ into
which the newly-stabled horse is removed, should not at first be much
increased beyond that to which he has been so long accustomed, or the
sudden change may operate unfavourably on his lungs; and if it does not
produce inflammation, it may at least occasion roaring, or broken wind.
The most prudent plan is, first to place the horse in an airy box, which
will not only prevent too great heat, but also obviate the danger of
swelled legs, and heated feet. By degrees so much increase of
temperature may be kept up, as will promote the fall of long hair, or
the retention or renewal of the short: and in the degree to which the
artificial coating is wished to be carried, to that degree should a
temperate or an ardent climate be imitated. The _clothing_ and grooming
should, like the other parts of the conditioning treatment, be at first
very moderate: the one produces extra heat, the other extra irritation;
but by degrees both may be increased according to the views of the
owner, or the purposes of the horse. _Physicking_ is found to assist the
_condition_ of horses; for by emptying the bowels thoroughly, absorption
of the extraneous fluids is promoted. One, two, or three doses,
according to the extent to which the condition is intended to be
carried, are usually given to every horse, where this process is
conducted on the usual principles; and are certainly necessary, wherever
continued and accelerated exertions are required. _Exercising_ a
conditioning horse, like the other aids, must be done with a due regard
to circumstances. At first, walking alone best answers the purpose, and
twice a-day is better than once: the duration of each walk must be
regulated by the age, the fulness of habit, &c. &c. As the condition
improves, trotting and galloping may be employed, to benefit the wind,
draw up the carcass, and accustom the horse to full work. It may be here
remarked, that I have seen all attempts to promote condition fail in a
horse removed from an old companion, or when stabled alone. Horses are
gregarious, and often bear segregation badly: such a case can only be
treated by association.—_Blaine_—_Outlines of the Vet. Art_—_Nimrod on
Condition_—_White, &c._
CONEY, _s._ A rabbit, an animal that burrows in the ground.
CONGER, _s._ The sea-eel.
CONIROSTRES, (CUVIER,) s. Birds having concave bills.
CONTAGION, _s._ The emission from body to body by which diseases are
communicated; infection; pestilence.
CONTAGIOUS, _a._ Infectious, caught by approach.
CONVULSE, _v._ To give an involuntary motion to the parts of any
body.
CONVULSION, _s._ A convulsion is an involuntary contraction of the
fibres and muscles; an irregular and violent motion, commotion.
COO, _v._ To cry as a dove or pigeon.
COOKERY, _s._ The art of dressing victuals.
_Cookery on the Moors._—No one merits or relishes a good dinner better
than a grouse-shooter. It delights me to see my companion eat like a
traveller; and, to please me, he should possess sufficient _acumen_ to
enable him to appreciate the fare. I despise the man who is cursed with
a Spartan palate, and who hardly knows the difference between beef and
mutton; and yet, in equal ratio, the _gourmand_ is my abomination. There
is a limit in culinary lore beyond which, as I opine, the sportsman
should never travel. Like a soldier, he will sometimes find it
serviceable to be able to direct the broiling of a steak, and the
combination of a stew. To fabricate a curry, or even regulate a hash,
may be tolerated; and in wild countries, like Ballycroy or the Scottish
highlands, this knowledge will frequently be “worth a Jew’s eye;” but
every thing beyond this in kitchen accomplishments, is detestable. With
one who composed omelets, and talked scholarly of the _materiel_ of a
plum-pudding—and I once had the misfortune to fall into a shooting party
afflicted with such a personage—I would consort no more upon the heath,
than I would shoot with a cook, or draw a cover with a confectioner. And
yet, with these antipathies, I recommend the neophyte to make himself in
every thing as independent as he can. A few practical lessons are worth
a world of precept: one week’s cooking in the moors will render him for
life an adept; and if gun and angle fail him not, he will be able to
command a dinner, without owing to the devil the compliment of a bad
cook.—_Wild Sports._
COOLNESS, _s._ Gentle cold, a soft degree of cold; freedom from
passion.
COOMB, _s._ A measure of corn containing four bushels.
COOP, _s._ A cage, a pen for animals, as poultry or sheep.
COOT (_Fulica_, LINN.), _s._ A small black water-fowl.
[Illustration]
Its characteristics are, bill strong, thick, sloping to a point; the
base of the upper mandible rising far up into the forehead; both
mandibles of equal length; nostrils inclining to oval, narrow, short;
body compressed; wings and tail short; toes long, furnished with broad
scalloped membranes between each joint, on each side; the inner toe has
two, the middle three, and the outer four scallops; and the hinder toe,
one plain membrane adhering to its whole length.
_Bald Coot._—(_Fulica atra_, LINN.—_Le Foulque au Morelle_, BUFF.)—This
bird generally weighs, when in full condition, about twenty-eight
ounces, and measures fifteen inches in length. The bill is of a greenish
white colour, more than an inch and a quarter long: a callous white
membrane, like that of the water hen, but larger, is spread over the
forehead, which also, as in that bird, changes its colour to a pale red
in the breeding season: irides red; the upper part of the plumage is
black, except the outer edges of the wings, and a spot under each eye,
which are white; the under parts are of a hoary dark ash or lead colour.
The skin is clothed with a thick down, and covered with close fine
feathers; the thighs are placed far behind, are fleshy and strong, bare,
and yellow above the knees; the legs and toes are commonly of a
yellowish green, but sometimes of lead colour.
The common coot has so many traits in its character, and so many
features in its general appearance like the rails and water hens, that
to place it after them, seems a natural and easy gradation. Linnæus and
other ornithologists, however, describe it as a genus distinct from
those birds, and from the waders in general, on account of its being fin
footed, and its constant attachment to the waters, which, indeed, it
seldom quits. With it naturalists begin the numerous tribe of swimmers,
and rank it among those that are the most completely dependent upon the
watery element for their support: it swims and dives with as much ease
as almost any of them; and also, like those which seldom venture upon
land, it is a bad traveller, and may be said not to walk, but to splash
and waddle between one pool and another, with a laboured, ill balanced,
and awkward gait.
These birds skulk and hide themselves during the day among rushes,
sedges, and weeds, which grow abundantly in the loughs and ponds, where
they take up their constant abode: they rarely venture abroad, except in
the dusk, and in the night, in quest of their food, which consists of
the herbage, seeds, insects, and the slippery inhabitants of stagnant
waters. It is seldom that the sportsman and his dog can force the coot
to spring from its retreat; for it will, in a manner, bury itself in the
mud rather than take wing: and when it is very closely pursued, and
compelled to rise, it does so with much fluttering and apparent
difficulty.
This species is met with in Great Britain at all seasons of the year;
and it is generally believed that it does not migrate to other
countries, but changes its stations, and removes in the autumn from the
lesser pools or loughs, where the young have been reared, to the larger
lakes, where flocks assemble in the winter. The female commonly builds
her nest in a bush of rushes surrounded by the water; it is composed of
a great quantity of coarse dried weeds, well matted together, and lined
within with softer and finer grasses: she lays from twelve to fifteen
eggs at a time, and commonly hatches twice in a season: her eggs are
about the size of those of a pullet, and are of a pale brownish white
colour, sprinkled with numerous small dark spots, which, at the thicker
end, seem as if they had run into each other, and formed bigger
blotches.
As soon as the young quit the shell, they plunge into the water, dive,
and swim about with the greatest ease; but they still gather together
about the mother, and take shelter under her wings, and do not entirely
leave her for some time. They are at first covered with sooty coloured
down, and are of a shapeless appearance: while they are in this state,
and before they have learned, by experience, to shun their foes, the
kite, moor buzzard, and others of the hawk tribe, make dreadful havoc
among them; and this, notwithstanding the numerous brood, may account
for the scarcity of the species.
_Greater Coot._—(_Fulica aterrima_, LINN.; _Le Grand Foulque au
Morelle_, BUFF.)—This is of a larger size than the last, but differs not
in the colour of the plumage, except that it is blacker. Brisson
distinguishes the two by the colour of the bare forehead, which is in
this white; and the garters, which are of deep red. This bird is said to
be found in Lancashire and in Scotland. It should seem to be a mere
variety of the former, did not authors join in advancing the contrary.
They are more plentiful on the continent, being found in Russia and the
western part of Siberia very commonly, and are also in plenty at Sologne
and the neighbouring parts, where they call it judelle. The people eat
them on maigre days, and the flesh is much esteemed.—_Latham._
* * * * *
A curious anecdote is related of a bald coot that built her nest in Sir
William Middleton’s lake, at Belsay, Northumberland. The rushes which
contained it being afterwards loosened by the wind, the nest was driven
about, and floated upon the surface of the water, in every direction;
notwithstanding which, the female continued to sit as usual, and brought
out her young upon her moveable habitation.
_Cleaning Coots._—The recipe for this, is, after picking them, to take
off all the black down, by means of powdered white rosin and boiling
water, and then to let them soak all night in cold spring water; by
which they are made to look as delicate as a chicken, and to eat
tolerably well; but, without this process, the skin, in roasting,
produces a sort of oil, with a fishy taste and smell; and, if taken off,
the bird becomes dry, and good for nothing. After all, however, these
birds are in no way delicate, except when skinned; and after being
soaked twenty-four hours in cold spring water, repeatedly changed, made
into a pudding, by which, as with all such birds, when in puddings,
pies, or soup, you can get rid of their strong skins without losing the
juice of their flesh; and their fishy taste is, in a great measure,
drawn off by steam.
Moor-hens may be cleaned in like manner, and, if in good condition, they
will then be nearly equal to any wild fowl.—_Hawker._
COPPER, _s._ One of the six primitive metals.
COPPER-CAP, _s._ A metallic covering fixed upon the nipple of a
percussion gun, containing a fulminating composition, which
explodes by the action of the cock and ignites the powder in the
barrel. _Vide_ PERCUSSION.
COPPERAS, _s._ A kind of vitriol.
COPPICE, _s._ Low woods cut at stated times for fuel.
COPSE, _s._ Short wood.
COPSE, _v._ To preserve underwood.
COPULATE, _v._ To come together as different sexes.
COPULATION, _s._ The congress or embrace of the two sexes.
CORACLE, _s._ A boat used in Wales by fishers.
CORDIAL, _s._ A medicine that increases the force of the heart, or
quickens the circulation; any medicine that increases strength;
any thing that comforts, gladdens, and exhilarates. Cordials are
useful to give a temporary energy to the stomach and bowels, and
stimulate the nervous system.
White says, “There is not a better cordial than about half a pint of
good strong beer, with a little ginger grated into it. A wineglassful of
brandy in half a pint of water is stronger, and may, on some occasions,
be more useful; but I wish to impress on the reader, that, whenever a
cordial appears necessary, we should give one of no greater strength
than is sufficient to produce the desired effect; and it will be found,
I think, that a much better effect may be produced by three or four
small doses, or weak cordials, than by giving only one large dose.”