276 LEPORID.E— LEPUS 



But, with beagles not exceeding fourteen inches, the odds are 

 three to one on the hare. There is a tendency to use small 

 foxhounds for hare-hunting, and then the hare is soon outpaced, 

 becomes bewildered and succumbs, whereas if she is not too 

 closely hustled, she has time to exercise her wiles in a legitimate 

 manner. 



In coursing, the hare depends for safety on its power of 

 sharply turning ; in mere speed alone, unless favoured by 

 slippery ground, as on hillsides or in times of snow, it is always 

 very inferior to fresh greyhounds. 1 These are used in pairs 

 and are released, or "slipped," from a leash so as to race side 

 by side at full speed to their hare, which turns to one side just 

 before the pursuers reach her, and they shoot onwards, so that 

 she gains ground and time. During the "course" puss con- 

 trives to save her life for the moment by " turns " right about or 

 "wrenches," 2 but is ultimately caught unless she has time to 

 reach covert. A single healthy hare will usually by its endurance 

 and doubling tire out a single greyhound, and in natural country 

 has a fair prospect of getting away from a pair of dogs, very 

 rarely from three ; but in the bare fields of an enclosed and 

 artificial meeting she has but little chance 3 of eluding two 

 picked modern greyhounds unless artificial "escapes" be 

 provided for her. On the other hand, in the spring and on 

 suitable eoing-, individuals are often encountered which are 

 capable of running dogs to a standstill, especially if well (and 

 artificially) fed after a spell of fine weather. I have seen a 

 " bagged" Irish Hare on strange and perfectly open ground 

 defeat every effort of two good greyhounds to catch her until 

 they were thoroughly exhausted and gave up the chase ; and 



1 The slowest greyhound also can easily overtake a fox. 



2 I.e., changes of direction amounting to a right angle, but not right about like a 

 "turn." The value of points in a course and the method of judging will be found in 

 The Hare, cit. supra, 155, etc. 



3 Hence, probably, the (at one time well-known) lines of Somerville's {op. cit. supra, 



Bfci.):— 



"... nor the tim'rous hare 



O'ermatch'd destroy, but leave that vile offence 

 To the mean, murd'rous, coursing crew ; intent 

 On blood and spoil." 



But in most reputable modern coursing meetings "escapes" are provided, if only 

 for economy of the stock of hares. 



