VENISON is chosen by its fat, which should be thick, clear, and bright.
A knife stuck in under the shoulder or shank will shew whether it be
sweet. If venison looks green, or approaching to black, it is stale.
The _Joints_ of Venison are only four; viz. The haunch, neck, breast,
and shoulder.
HARES.—The claws of a young hare are smooth and sharp, the ears are
tender and will easily tear, and the cleft of the lip is narrow; but
the claws of an old hare are blunt and rugged, the ears dry and tough,
and the cleft of the lip is wide, and the haunch is thick.—If fresh the
body will be stiff. A hare is best when kept ten days or a fortnight,
which, in favourable weather, may be done; but it should always be
dressed as soon as it begins to bleed at the nose.
LEVERETS may be distinguished from hares, by their having a knob or
small bone on the fore leg, near the foot, which hares have not.
Leverets will not keep, therefore should be dressed as soon as possible.
RABBITS.—The age of Rabbits, whether wild or tame, may be known by
nearly the same rules as that of Hares: observe also, that if old,
their hairs are intermixed with the wool, their claws will be limber,
and their flesh, instead of being white, will have a blue cast, and be
slimy.