 The Zhuangzi reads, "The sleek-furred fox and the elegantly spotted leopard...can't seem to escape the disaster of nets and traps.” "Modern" steel jaw-traps were first described in western sources as early as the late 16th century.The first mention comes from Leonard Mascall's book on animal trapping.It reads, "a griping trappe made all of yrne, the lowest barre, and the ring or hoope with two clickets."