"The sportsmen went on each side the river, beating the banks and sedges with the dogs; if there was an otter in that quarter, his _seal_ was soon traced upon the mud, as the water, wherever it would admit of it, was lowered as much as possible, to expose the hollow banks, reed-beds and stubs that might otherwise shelter him: each hunter had a spear to attack the otter when he _vented_, or came to the surface of the water to breathe. If an otter was not soon found by the river-side, it was imagined he was gone to _couch_ more inland, and was sought for accordingly; (for sometimes they will feed a considerable distance from their place of rest, choosing rather to go up than down the stream.) If the hounds found an otter, the sportsman viewed his track in the mud, to find which way he had taken. The spears were used in aid of the dogs. When an otter is wounded, he makes directly to land, where he maintains an obstinate defence: he bites severely, and does not readily quit his hold: when he seizes the dogs in the water, he always dives with, and carries them far below the surface: an old one will never give up while he has life; and it is observable, that the _male_ otter never makes any complaint when seized by the dogs, or transfixed with a spear; but the pregnant females emit a very shrill squeal." This sport, as it is called by those who profess themselves its admirers, is still continued in many remote, fenny, and watery districts; but in general is principally confined to those parts where, from local circumstances, the other more noble and exhilarating distinctions of the chase cannot be enjoyed. OVER-DONE.—A horse is said to be over-done, when both his FRAME and SPIRITS are so exhausted with fatigue and excessive labour, that he sinks down in his stall almost immediately after reaching the stable; where he extends himself at every extremity, giving evident proof of the struggles nature has to encounter, by the bodily disquietude under which he continues distressed for many _hours_, and sometimes DAYS, before he becomes perfectly recovered. When a horse is reduced to this state, by a too long continuance at slow or steady work, no doubt of recovery need be entertained with a few days nursing; but if it has been occasioned by a continued and persevering speed with hounds, and a long journey home, danger may be apprehended: instances are infinite, where internal inflammations have arisen, by which existence has soon been destroyed.