and ounce in weight, with a strong thread passed in and out between the feathers, and tied, to make the diameter at the top about 3 inches. Rackets similar to those employed in the game of rackets, are required, only rather smaller.

THE GAME IS PLAYED in precisely the same way as lawn tennis, only every stroke must be volleyed. If the shuttlecock touches the ground, the player who allows it to do so loses a stroke.

THE RULES of lawn tennis should be adopted. Some players prefer the following modifications, which, however, are not recommended: (1) The ground is sometimes narrow in the middle instead of oblong, and the serviceline brought to within 5 feet of the net. (2) The service is sometimes delivered from any part of the court between the base-line and serviceline, and, if the service-line is brought close to the net as above stated, the service must drop between the service-line and the base-line of the diagonally opposed court. Under this modified system, a service which drops between the service-line and the net is a fault. (3) Sometimes, if a service drops on a line inclosing the court served into, or if a return drops on the external boundary line, it is a let, and counts for nothing. This rule is utterly useless. If a let intervenes between two faults, they are deemed consecutive. (4) Sometimes, if a shuttlecock touches the net or posts and goes over, it is a fault in the service or loss of a stroke in the return. (5) Sometimes the game is set thus: At 13-all, the out player may set to 5-i.e. may take the remainder of the game five up instead of two up; and similarly at 14-all, the out-player may set to 3. (6) In partner games, the out-players are sometimes allowed to change courts once during the game to receive the

service.

LA CROSSE.

This game was first played in England at a school near Reading, circa 1865, some Canadian boys having brought crosses with them. In general tactics it strongly resembles Association football. There are twelve players, whose object it is to pass a small india-rubber ball through the goal of their opponents. As the goal is small, being but six feet square, this can only be accomplished from a comparatively short distance, say twenty yards, at the outside. It is the manoeuvring which takes place in order to get a player into unimpeded possession of the ball, within goal-throwing range, which constitutes the beauty of the game. The most absolute accuracy of throwing from, and catching with, the crosse, from any conceivable position, is possible; and in these accomplishments, and the rapidity of their execution, combined, of course, with superiority of condition, one team excels another. The goals are placed from 100 to about 150 yards apart, the longer distance being for the best twelves; and the twelve players are divided into defence, field, and home. The home players stand near the opponents' goal. They are three in number, and must possess the greatest accuracy in throwing swiftly at goal, combined with extreme rapidity of movement. The field feed the home, and should be speedy players. On defence are placed the heavy men, whose speciality is long throwing. Good defence players frequently, in the course of a match, throw the ball a clear 120 yards; and a record of 140 yards 2 feet has been made in Canada. There is absolutely no off-side rule, and play goes on just as freely behind the goals as in front of them, a common tactic being the tossing of the ball over from behind, with the object

of having it passed through-a goal of course scoring when made from the front only.

The ball is started from the centre of the field of play, and when falling into the possession of a player, it is permissible for any opponent to strike the crosse carrying the ball with his own, for the purpose of dislodging the ball. No kind of charging is allowed, but a player may place his body in the way of an opponent with the ball. He may not, however, in any way interfere with an opponent who is pursuing one of his own side who has the ball. A ball going out of bounds is contested for by the two nearest opponents, at the spot where it crossed the boundary. The ball may not be handled (except by the goal-keeper), nor, by the United Kingdom rules, may it be played with the foot or leg.

The players are disposed all over the field, and it is the duty of each defence man to closely watch an attacker of the other side, who must not be allowed an instant of leisure in which to catch the ball on his crosse, or pick it from the ground, if rolling, otherwise, so great is the accuracy obtained, the ball will infallibly be sent on into dangerous proximity to the goal. Thus the players are distributed about the field in pairs, and superior fleetness of foot tells in enabling players to evade the attentions of their checkers. It is bad play, however, to indulge in running, when the same object can be obtained by means of a throw, as all the strength must be reserved for the frequent dual tussles which take place. Speed must be employed for the purpose of disarranging the defensive tactics of the opponents: when that object has been accomplished a throw at goal should be a certainty. The ball should be picked up by the Go at it hotly, and you are sure to fail.

crosse as you pick up a racket ball. Violence saves no time, be you ever

so hard pressed. If running fast, and on rather uneven grass, you may get the ball up by simply pushing the top of the crosse under it, with a sharp, lifting motion, tipping up the crosse to prevent the ball falling off again. If the ground is very smooth, there is, however, a chance that the ball will merely be struck forward, and not picked up at all.

The more usual and safe way of picking up the ball is a little troublesome to learn, and obliges a partial stoppage if it has to be picked up on the run. Stretch out the crosse on approaching the ball, and catch the latter by the inside of the top part of the stick-hooking the ball, in fact. Draw it sharply towards you, and while the ball is still in motion bring back the crosse and push it underneath. As the crosse is presented to the ball while it is still rolling towards you, it would probably roll on of itself, but you should help it by pushing the crosse as directed. There will be little danger of striking it away from you, even if the edge of the crosse is presented not quite on the ground. In offering the crosse, the body should lean forward, so as to get the handle near the ground. This diminishes the incline the ball has to ascend, and assists in getting it over the stick. Directly the ball is on, tip up the crosse, and cant it slightly over to the right, so that the ball may rest against the stick near, but not too close to, the top.

When the ball is flung towards you, and runs along the ground, you can usually pick it up by holding the crosse to it at an angle, with the top on the ground: the ball will run up the incline. When coming hard, it may run up and jump into the face or over the head, if the crosse is not inclined sufficiently. If coming very fast, it can only be stopped and picked up afterwards. If coming on the bound gently, it should be received on the crosse (inclined, of course); if hard, block it with the crosse inclined forwards, so as to throw the ball straight down on the ground: catch on the rebound.

As to catching the ball when coming in the air, there is not very much to be said, except that it requires much the same qualities as catching a ball in the hand. Receive the ball on the net, and of course drop or draw back the crosse slightly at the moment of contact. A practised hand will catch the ball with more facility than can well be imagined, even when it comes straight breast-high, or even overhead. When coming straight at you above the waist, hold the crosse perpendicular to stop it. As the ball commences falling, follow it with the crosse. A rapid twist of the wrist will revolve the crosse from above to beneath the ball, which will thus be caught.

Catching is entirely a matter of practice, joined with natural aptitude. To throw the ball well, to catch it on the crosse, and even to pick it up, require more dexterity than most exercises. But the chief interest of the game lies in running with the ball; to do this properly needs high qualities, among which coolness stands pre-eminent. It seems so easy to drop the ball from the crossc, and so difficult to avoid the blows of the same far-reaching weapon, that one doubts at first how a good "run in" can ever be accomplished. Yet it is done continually by good players, and it may even be said that, man for man, the attack is stronger than the defence.

Fig. 1. shows the position in running with the ball. The crosse is inclined more and more in proportion to the speed, the ball being kept in its place by the pressure of the air in front. The crosse is canted to the right, that the ball may rest against the stick, which, as already stated, forms the right edge

of the crosse. That, at least, is the way most players prefer to carry it, though in Canada it seems to be turned either way. The matter is immaterial, of course. With the light crosses used here one hand is sufficient. (Perhaps there will be a one-handed versus two-handed controversy some day, as there is now in croquet.) Steadiness and watchfulness are required to keep the ball on the crosse, and slipshod running will soon bring it to grief. However, it is easier than it first appears.

When intercepted by an opponent, and unable to get past without fencing (discretion is much the best part of valour when running in), prevent your crosse being struck, if possible. It may sometimes be saved by transferring it to the left hand, or even behind you, but you risk dropping the ball in this. If pressed hard, throw up the ball over the enemy's head, and darting quickly on before he has time to turn, catch it in its descent. This is a pretty piece of play, and is often done with success. It needs strength of wrist. A slight jerk of the crosse from the wrist throws the ball over the head of the "checker."

FIG. 1.

Another way is to throw it in the same manner to your right, darting off immediately to catch it. The chances are you get the start, the enemy not being previously prepared, as you are, for the movement. Still a good "checker will not be soon got rid of, and it may become necessary to throw the ball either at the goal, if near enough, or to another of one's own side. A "checker" may be kept at bay by turning the back to him, which makes it difficult for him to reach your crosse, and at the same time puts you in the best position for throwing if necessary. In reaching past your side to strike your crosse, he gives you an opportunity to turn to the other side and run on.

A vigorous, charging sort of run does not pay at all, at least with good players. Quickness and suppleness are the chief things to attend to. Mind while engaged in front you are not also attacked from behind. When there are two to one it generally becomes expedient to get rid of the ball at once. When near enough to the goal, throw to your "home man" without trying to get too close.

It is well to wear gloves, to save the knuckles from blows of hostile crosses. The art of "checking" is of course analogous to "dodging." Given an active

man, with a crosse in his hand, and a ball to be knocked off another man's crosse, and we think he may be pretty well left to self-instruction.

It is assumed that a runner will seldom get beyond "point" without having to throw. Goal-keeper's chief duty is therefore stopping balls thrown, though sometimes he must engage in "checking." If it comes to this, the goal is in no small danger.

It need scarcely be said that in field play both "dodging" and "checking" is the soul of the game. Both branches must be studied before a player can become perfect in either.

A good plan is to strike the "dodger's" crosse down with the edge of your own; but so as not to hit the ball, which will forthwith jump into the air and give you a good chance of catching it.

THROWING THE BALL.-Throwing the ball over the head of an opponent by a jerk of the wrist has already been mentioned in the chapter on running. The same movement may be employed in throwing the ball short distances, but it can hardly be reckoned amongst the "methods" of throwing.

A feature in the game which astonishes strangers is the fearful pace with which players throw at the goal-keeper, without disturbing that functionary's screnity.

The Indians trusted more to throwing and striking the ball to long distances than to running with it. The "white" practice lays more stress upon running, and enjoins that the ball shall only be thrown when its possessor for the time can run no farther, owing to the opposition he encounters.

When "checked" hopelessly by an enemy, the runner should throw the ball to a friend farther advanced or more free to advance than himself. The commonest plan is to turn the back to the checker, or rather to the person you desire to throw to, and then throw straight overhead. The finish of the movement is shown in Fig. 2. It is surprising how straight a throw can be made in this manner, and how well distance can be calculated by a rapid glance over the shoulder before throwing. The ball can be sent to a long distance if required. Turn quickly round, slanting the crosse sideways as you do so to prevent the ball flying off; put the left hand to the handle above the right, which slide down to the end; then raise the crosse over your head with a quick motion, partly from the shoulder, but chiefly from the elbow; stop it suddenly before the hands touch the face, and the ball will fly off with great velocity. It is easy, with a little practice, to give either a low and swift throw or a high and slow one; the latter being the easiest for a friend to catch, and the former the hardest for an enemy to stop. A man checking you is baulked by having your back turned on him, which makes it hard for him to reach your crosse. While he is trying at it, you throw in this way right over him. This overhead throw may be regarded as the standard throw, and as the most generally useful.

FIG 2.

A very good method for a short, vicious throw at goal, is to bring the crosse to the shoulder and throw out straight in front. It requires practice, as the