THE REASON WHY : 



Neglected Tray and pointer lie, 

 And covies unmolested fly." PRIOR. 



270. Why do sporting dogs make what is termed a "point ?" 



Because they are conscious "of having got too close up'on the 

 birds, and halt suddenly for fear of disturbing them before a shot 

 can be given ; and this action not only accomplishes the end in 

 view, but serves to acquaint the sportsman that there is game 

 in the immediate locality. 



271. The moment the pointer falls upon the scent, he not only makes a sucldon 

 halt, but assumes at once an attitude of very great peculiarity, and such as must be 

 seen before it can be fully appreciated or understood. In an instant he may be seen 

 standing on three legs, one of the fore feet being raised, and his face, back, and 

 tail all drawn into a line. This is his invariable position when the scent is taken 

 naturally, but when it is interfered, with, such as running with the wind, or barred 

 by an impenetrable fence, or any other circumstance, and the dog stumbles in 

 consequence suddenly upon the game, he then pulls himself up so instantaneously 

 that not one of his limbs is suffered to move after the instant the scent is dis- 

 covered ; and however singular the conformation of his body at that moment, or 

 however painful to him that attitude, he will maintain it with unswervirg 

 steadiness until the sportsman arrives. Sometimes it has happened that when thu 

 pointer has been in the act of springing over a strong fence, such as a stone wall, 

 he has hit upon the scent of the birds lying close to it on the other side, and he has 

 then been seen to halt suddenly on the top of it with his four feet all collected 

 together, and his body almost all doubled up, thus fixing himself like a statue. 



272. What is "scent?" 



It is the odour, or effluvium, which is constantly issuing from 

 every animal, and especially when that animal is in more than 

 usual exercise. In a state of heat or excitement, the pores of the 

 skin appear relaxed, and a fluid or aqueous vapour is secreted 

 which, escaping in large quantities, adheres to the persons or 

 substances upon which it falls, and is particularly capable of 

 impressing the olfactory nerves.* 



273. That an animal emitting odorous exhalations should leave behind it a 

 somewhat abiding scent, is no matter of surprise when we consider what some solid 

 substances are capable of doing, and that the odorous excretions of animals 

 derive their property from minute particles of similar solids. Some substances 

 possess very strong odorous properties, without losing weight in any appreciable 

 degree by the diffusion of their particles through the air. This is the case, for 



* " Youutt on the Dog." 



