Every person that putteth in a horse, mare, or gelding, for the
said plate, is to show such horse, mare, or gelding, with the
marks, name, and name of the owner, to be entered at the king’s
stables in Newmarket, the day before they run, and shall then
produce a certificate under the hand of the breeder, specifying
his exact age the grass before.
Every horse, mare, or gelding, that runneth, is to start between
the hours of one and four in the afternoon; and to be allowed
half an hour between each heat to rub.
Every horse, mare, or gelding, that runneth on the wrong side
the posts or flags, or is distanced in any of the heats, shall
have no share of the said plate, nor be suffered to start again.
The horse, mare, or gelding, that winneth any two heats, winneth
the plate; but if three several horses, mares, or geldings, win
each of them a heat, then those three, and only they, to run a
fourth; and the horse, mare, or gelding, that winneth the fourth
heat, shall have the plate.
And each horse, mare, or gelding’s place, as he or they come in
by the ending post each heat, as first, second, or third, &c.,
shall be determined by such judges as shall be appointed for
that purpose by the Master of the Horse. And in case any horse,
mare, or gelding, shall be then, or after prove to be, above the
age certified the grass before, the owner or owners of such
horse, mare, or gelding, shall be rendered incapable of ever
running for any of the king’s plates hereafter.
As many of the riders as shall cross, jostle, or strike, or use
any other foul play, as shall be judged by such person or
persons as shall be appointed by the Master of the Horse, such
rider shall be made incapable of ever riding any horse, mare, or
gelding, for any of his majesty’s plates hereafter; and such
owners shall have no benefit of that plate; but such owners may
be permitted to run any horse, mare, or gelding, for any other
of his majesty’s free plates in future.
Every rider shall, immediately after each heat is run, be
obliged to come to the ending post with his horse, mare, or
gelding, then and there to alight, and not before, and there to
weigh to the satisfaction of the judges appointed for that
purpose.
And in case of neglect or refusal thereof, such winners and
riders shall be immediately declared incapable of running or
riding any more for this or any of his majesty’s plates in
future.
And should any difference arise relating to their ages, or in
their running, or to these his majesty’s orders, the same to be
determined by such person or persons as shall be appointed by
the Master of the Horse. And these articles are to continue in
force, unless altered by command of his majesty.
For the better and more certain prevention of any fraud or
misapplication, the winner of a king’s plate is to receive from
the clerk of the course, a certificate signed by the steward of
the race where such plate is won, counter-signed by himself
also, which being presented to the lord lieutenant of the
county, it obtains his signature likewise: when thus sanctioned,
it becomes payable at sight to bearer (if properly endorsed by
the winner,) at the office of the clerk of his majesty’s
stables, in the King’s Mews, London. The lord lieutenant of a
county being out of the kingdom, the signature of any person
regularly deputed by him is sufficient. The certificate of
winning the plate at Ascot requires only the signature of the
master of his majesty’s stag hounds, instead of the lord
lieutenant of the county.
KITE, _s._ A bird of prey that infests the farms, and steals the
chickens; a fictitious bird made of paper.
[Illustration]
This bird is easily distinguished from the buzzard by its forked tail,
which is its peculiar and distinguishing feature. Its length is about
two feet; its bill is of a horn colour, furnished with bristles at the
base; its eyes and cere are yellow; the feathers on the head and neck
are long and narrow, of a hoary colour, streaked with brown down the
middle of each; those on the body are of a reddish brown colour, the
margin of each feather pale; the quills are dark brown, the legs yellow,
and the claws black. It is common in England, where it continues the
whole year. It is found in various parts of Europe, in very northern
latitudes, whence it retires towards Egypt before winter, in great
numbers; it is said to breed there, and return in April to Europe, where
it breeds a second time, contrary to the nature of rapacious birds in
general. The female lays two or three eggs of a whitish colour, spotted
with pale yellow, and of a roundish form. Though the kite weighs
somewhat less than three pounds, the extent of its wings is more than
five feet; its flight is rapid, and it soars very high in the air,
frequently beyond the reach of our sight; yet, at this distance, it
perceives its food distinctly, and descends upon its prey with
irresistible force: its attacks are confined to small animals and birds;
it is particularly fond of young chickens, but the fury of their mother
is generally sufficient to drive away the robber.—_Bewick._
KITTEN, _s._ a young cat.
KITTEN, _v._ To bring forth young cats.
KNEE, _s._ The joint of the leg where the leg is joined to the
thigh; a knee is a piece of timber growing crooked, and so cut
that the trunk and branch make an angle.
_Knee of a Horse_ is the central joint of the leg, where the fore thigh
is united to the shank bone. Its formation is of such strength, that a
lameness, by twist, distortion, or any other injury, is hardly ever
sustained in this part, but by the accident of falling, which frequently
happens, and, if attended with a blemish, very much reduces the previous
value of the horse. Prominences in a pavement, or rolling stones upon a
road, are sometimes the occasion of such misfortunes, even to those who
are in general exceedingly sure-footed, and of the most valuable
description. Custom has, however, introduced of late years such an
unprecedented degree of precaution in an examination of the knees, that
the slightest touch cannot be expected to pass unnoticed amidst so much
scrutinising inspection; and if once appearances are sufficient to
justify a doubt, the object immediately sinks in estimation, however
superior he may be in other respects and qualifications. This being so
great a disadvantage when a horse is to be sold, it evidently points out
the absolute necessity of a minute examination before he is bought, as a
want of it may produce considerable loss and serious reflection. Loss of
hair upon the knees, when not too seriously affected, may sometimes be
restored by a daily application of very strong camphorated liniment.
* * * * *
The knee of the horse corresponds with the human wrist. Like the joints
generally, it should be large, by which the surface of muscular and
ligamentous contact becomes increased, and the stability of the limb in
proportion augmented; by this form also the tendinous insertions are
further removed from the centre of motion, and thereby their power is
increased. The knee should be carefully examined, to see whether the
skin has been broken by falls; and great caution is necessary in this,
for the hair sometimes grows so well over the scar as to leave it hardly
discernible. Horse dealers likewise hide the blemish by blackening the
part. It does not, however, follow that a mark or scar always indicates
a stumbler; and persons are too apt to forget that the safest horse may
by an unavoidable accident fall; but which circumstance will never
influence his future manner of going, unless the cicatrix should be of
such extent as to interfere with the motion of the joint; if, therefore,
the arm and fore-arm be strong, the fore-hand high, and the horse show
good action, he should not be rejected wholly for an accidental
blemish.—_Blaine._
KNOT, _s._ A complication of a cord or string not easily to be
disentangled; a hard part in a piece of wood; a confederacy, an
association, a small band; intricacy; a cluster, a collection; a
fen bird. Knot is the division of the log-line answering to half
a minute as a mile does to an hour.
[Illustration]
These birds, like others of the same genus, differ considerably from
each other in their appearance in different seasons of the year, as well
as from age and sex. The specimen from which the above drawing was taken
measured from the point of the bill to the tip of the tail eight inches
and a half; the extended wings about fifteen; and it weighed two ounces
eight drachms. The bill is one inch and three-eighths long, black at the
tip, and dusky, fading into orange towards the base; tongue of nearly
the same length, sharp, and horny at the point: sides of the head, neck,
and breast, cinereous, edged with ash-coloured grey; the chin white, and
a stroke of the same colour passed over each eye. All the upper parts of
the plumage were darkish-brown, but more deep and glossy on the crown of
the head, back, and scapulars, and each feather was edged with ash or
grey; the under parts were a cream-coloured white, streaked or spotted
with brown on the sides and vent; the greater coverts of the wings
tipped with white, which formed a bar across them when extended; the
legs reddish yellow and short, not measuring more than two inches and
one-eighth from the middle toe nail to the knee; the thighs feathered
very nearly to the knee; toes divided without any connecting membrane.
This bird is caught in Lincolnshire and the other fenny counties in
great numbers by nets, into which it is decoyed by carved wooden figures
painted to represent itself, and placed within them, much in the same
way as the ruff. It is also fattened for sale, and esteemed by many
equal to the ruff in the delicacy of the flavour. The season for taking
it is from August to November, after which the frost compels it to
disappear.
This bird is said to have been a favourite dish with Canute, King of
England; and Camden observes that its name is derived from his—Knute or
Knoute, as he was called, which in process of time has been changed to
Knot.—_Bewick._
KNOT, _v._ To complicate in knots; to entangle, to perplex; to
unite.
KNOTTY, _a._ Full of knots; hard, rugged; intricate, perplexed.
KNUCKLE, _s._ The joints of the fingers, protuberant when the
fingers close; the joint of a calf; the articulation or joint of
a plant.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LACE, _s._ A string, a cord; a snare, a gin.
LACERATION, _s._ The act of tearing or rending; the breach made by
tearing.
LAIR, _s._ The couch of a boar, or wild beast; the place where deer
harbour by day.
LAKE, _s._ A large diffusion of inland water; a small plash of
water; a middle colour betwixt ultramarine and vermilion.
LAME, _a._ Crippled, disabled in the limbs.
LAMENESS, _s._ The state of a cripple, loss or inability of limbs;
imperfection, weakness.
_Lameness in Horses._—Proceeds from a variety of causes, and requires
much patient investigation to ascertain, to a certainty, the exact seat
of injury; for want of which judicious precaution, mischief frequently
follows. Horses are sometimes persecuted, blistered, and fired for a
lameness in one part, which ultimately proves to be in another, and this
alone sufficiently points out the absolute necessity of a deliberate
discrimination. As lameness proceeds from different causes, so it is of
different kinds, and requires various modes of treatment, equally
opposite to each other. This cannot be more forcibly elucidated, than by
adverting to the difference between a lameness originating in a
relaxation of the sinews, and a ligamentary injury sustained by a sudden
turn, twist, or distortion, of some particular joint. These require a
very different mode of treatment; and yet it is too much, and too
unthinkingly the custom to treat every kind of lameness in the same way.
From either a want of patience in the owner, or a want of prudence in
the practitioner, the favourite operation of blistering is thought
applicable to every case without exception; and being often resorted to
before the inflammation of the part has sufficiently subsided, occasions
a permanent enlargement, with a thickening of the integument, and
consequent stiffness, rendering the remedy equally injurious with the
original defect.
In all lamenesses occasioned by a relaxation of the tendons, blistering,
and even firing, are admitted to have a forcible effect, provided they
are brought into use at a proper time; but not before the inflammation
(which is generally attendant upon such case) has previously subsided.
In all ligamentary injuries blistering is seldom, if ever, known to be
productive of permanent advantage; and is, perhaps, upon most occasions,
so immediately adopted, because a single application is of so much less
personal trouble, than a daily persevering hour bestowed in a hot
fomentation, and stimulative embrocations.
Upon the subject of lameness in general, it is necessary to remark, that
injuries sustained in tendons (commonly called the back sinews) are more
frequently relieved, and a lasting cure obtained, than in a lameness of
the joints; where, after patient and persevering medical applications,
and a corresponding portion of rest, a renewal of work has almost
immediately produced a relapse.
* * * * *
Lameness, from whatever cause arising, is unsoundness. However temporary
it may be, or however obscure, it lessens the utility of the horse, and
renders him unsound for the time. How far his soundness may be
afterwards affected, must depend on the circumstances of the case. A
lame horse is for a time an unsound one.
* * * * *
_Lameness in Dogs._—During the hunting or shooting season, dogs are very
liable to sore feet: they should be frequently washed with strong brine,
pot liquor, or salt and vinegar,—a handful of the former to a pint of
the latter. But as it will be found easier to prevent than cure the
affection, this is best done by washing their feet every day, when
returning from the field, with pot-liquor or brine.—_The Horse_—_Brown._
LAMPASS, _s._ A lump of flesh, about the bigness of a nut, in the
roof of a horse’s mouth.
_Lampass._—Called also lampers, and lampards, is a spongy, elastic
enlargement of the roof of a young horse’s mouth, just behind the
nippers of his upper jaw, which frequently acquires such a luxuriance in
growth, as to be equal with, or to exceed, the surface of the teeth, and
is supposed to occasion pain to such horses in the mastication of their
corn. Whenever the lampass are found so protuberant as to justify an
opinion, or produce a proof that they occasion pain in mastication, it
is then time enough to pass the point or edge of a sharp penknife, or
lancet, transversely and longitudinally over the puffy and prominent
part, so as to let it bleed in that state for a few minutes; then let it
be washed with a solution of alum in water, and no further inconvenience
need be apprehended.—_White._
LAMPBLACK, _s._ Is made by holding a torch under the bottom of a
basin, and as it is furred striking it with a feather into some
shell, and grinding it with gum water.
LAMPREY, _s._ A kind of eel.
The sight of a large square slab of white marble at a trifling distance
from the main road on this mountain, excited my curiosity some days ago.
It contained a modern Latin inscription of great length, which for its
singularity I would send you, but I wish to save postage. The traveller
is desired to pause, in order to behold an ocular demonstration of the
cruelty and impiety of the ancient pagans, exhibited in the fish-ponds
of A. Pollio, Esq. who, says the marble, was particularly fond of
lampreys fed with _human blood_; and who to gratify this inhuman sort of
gluttony, had these ponds built at an immense expense, and caused the
wretched victims of his corrupt palate to be thrown into them. Accepting
the pious invitation, I entered the farm pointed out by the inscription,
and actually found the farm-house to consist of some modern masonry
engrafted upon a solid stock of ancient reticulated architecture. At the
back of the building a small door opened into the ponds, which even now
appeared to be abundantly supplied with water, rising to the height of
about eight or ten feet, from the door downwards, and covered by an
arched vault nearly as high from the top of the door: the sides were
lined with a stucco, as hard, if not harder than stone. The whole fabric
was in perfect preservation, and well worth the attention of an
antiquary; but my conductor was unable to add anything to the
information given by the inscription, which, I confess, appeared to me
very problematical. The neat and impenetrable covering of stucco, would
rather induce me to take it for a reservoir, or large cistern for water,
than a pond for lampreys: and supposing it to have been the latter,
where is the evidence of human bodies having supplied their food; and
supposing the Roman laws to have been lax enough to allow such a
diabolical practice, what stomach could relish such a dainty?—_Letters
from the Campagna Felice._
LAMPRON, _s._ A kind of sea-fish, a long eel.
LANCE, _v._ To pierce, to cut; to open chirurgically, to cut in
order to a cure.
LANCET, _s._ A small pointed chirurgical instrument.
LAND, _v._ To set on shore; to secure a fish.
LANDMARK, _s._ Anything set up to preserve boundaries.
LANDRAIL, or DAKER HEN, CORNCRAKE, (_Rallus crex_, LINN.; _Le Rale
de Genet_, BUFF.) _s._ A bird.
[Illustration: THE LAND-RAIL.]
Length rather more than nine inches; the bill is light brown; the eyes
hazel; all the feathers on the upper parts of the plumage are of a dark
brown, edged with pale rust colour; both wing coverts and quills are of
a deep chestnut; the fore part of the neck and the breast are of a pale
ash colour; a streak of the same colour extends over each eye from the
bill to the side of the neck; the belly is of a yellowish white; the
sides, thighs, and vent, are marked with faint rusty coloured bars; the
legs are of a pale flesh colour.
We have ventured to remove this bird from the usual place assigned to it
among those to whom it seems to have little or no analogy, and have
placed it among others to which in most respects it bears a strong
affinity.
It makes its appearance about the same time as the quail, and frequents
the same places, whence it is called in some counties the king of the
quails. Its well known cry is first heard as soon as the grass becomes
long enough to shelter it, and continues till the grass is cut; but the
bird is seldom seen, for it constantly skulks among the thickest part of
the herbage, and runs so nimbly through it, winding and doubling in
every direction, that it is difficult to come near it; when hard pushed
by the dog, it sometimes stops short and squats down, by which means its
too eager pursuer overshoots the spot, and loses the trace. It seldom
springs but when driven to extremity, and generally flies with its legs
hanging down, but never to a great distance; as soon as it alights it
runs off, and before the fowler has reached the spot, the bird is at a
considerable distance.
The corncrake leaves the island before the winter, and repairs to other
countries in search of its food, which consists principally of slugs, of
which it destroys prodigious numbers; it likewise feeds on worms and
insects, as well as on seeds of various kinds. It is very common in
Ireland, and is seen in great numbers in the Island of Anglesea on its
passage to that country. On its first arrival in England, it is so lean
as to weigh less than six ounces, from which one would conclude that it
must have come from distant parts; before its departure, however, it has
been known to exceed eight ounces, and is then very delicious eating.
The female lays ten or twelve eggs on a nest made of a little moss or
dry grass, carelessly put together; they are of a pale ash-colour,
marked with rust-coloured spots. The young crakes are covered with black
down; they soon find the use of their legs, for they follow the mother
immediately after they have burst the shell.
* * * * *
This is deemed a bird of passage by all the writers: yet from its
formation seems to be poorly qualified for migration; for its wings are
short, and placed so forward, and out of the centre of gravity, that it
flies in a very heavy and embarrassed manner, with its legs hanging
down; and can hardly be sprung a second time, as it runs very fast, and
seems to depend more on the swiftness of its feet than on its flying.
When we came to draw it, we found the entrails so soft and tender, that
in appearance they might have been dressed like the ropes of a woodcock.
The craw or crop was small and lank, containing a mucus; the gizzard
thick and strong, and filled with small shell snails, some whole, and
many ground to pieces through the attrition which is occasioned by the
muscular force and motion of that intestine. We saw no gravels among the
food: perhaps the shell snails might perform the function of gravels or
pebbles, and might grind one another.
* * * * *
That it is a bird of passage there can be little doubt, though one would
think it poorly qualified for migration, on account of the wings being
short, and not placed in the exact centre of gravity: how that may be I
cannot say, but I know that its heavy sluggish flight is not owing to
its inability of flying faster, for I have seen it fly very swiftly,
although in general its actions are sluggish. Its unwillingness to rise
proceeds, I imagine, from its sluggish disposition, and its great
timidity, for it will sometimes squat so close to the ground as to
suffer itself to be taken up by the hand, rather than rise; and yet it
will at times run very fast.
What Mr. White remarks respecting the small shell snails found in its
gizzard, confirms my opinion, that it frequents corn fields, seed
clover, and brakes or fern, more for the sake of snails, slugs, and
other insects which abound in such places, than for the grain or seeds;
and that it is entirely an insectivorous bird.—_Bewick_—_White’s
Selborne_—_Wood._
LANERET, _s._ A little hawk.
LANIGEROUS, _a._ Bearing wood.