THE REASON WHY 



1 Rut the milder ayre with season moderate, 

 Gently attempered, and disposed so well 

 That still it breathed forth sweet and holesome smell.&quot; SPENSER. 



manifest by the &quot; creeping mists &quot; of morning and evening. The 

 s *.ent is most manifest where a favourable condition of humidity 

 prevails, and hence it is strongest in the upper stratum. 



2?9. IVTiy does scent rarely lie with a north or east wind ? 



Because those winds being generally dry, and frequently cold, 

 are unfavourable to the retention of scent, which becomes diffused 

 and weakened instead of retained, as it were, in solution. 



280. The different manners or attitudes in which the dog runs afford satisfactory 

 and pleasing illustrations of the nature of the scent. Sometimes they will be seen 

 galloping with their noses in the air, as if their game had flown away, and an hour 

 or two afterwards every one of them will have his muzzle on the ground. The 

 condition of the atmosphere has changed, and the scent has risen or fallen m 

 proportion.* 



281. Why is scent generally good when the wind is southerly t 

 Because the south wind is generally humid and warm. For * 



similar reason, a westerly wind is, next to the south wind, in its 



favourable conditions. 



282. In the evening when dews are forming, we recognise the fragrance of flowers 

 and the odour of sweet hay. This is a sufficient confirmation that a moderate 

 degreo of humidity is best adapted to the transmission of scents. 



283. Why, when cob-webs hang on the bushes, is scent seldom, 

 good ? 



Because spiders spread out their webs in dry air, and gather 

 them in when it is moist or wet. Therefore, when the webs are out 

 it is a sure indication that the dryness of the air is unfavourable 

 f o scent. 



284. Why in a hard rain, if the air is mild, will scent sometimes 

 be very good? 



Because after a heavy rain the air is left in a dry state, ready 

 immediately to absorb vapour. The mildness of the temperature 

 at once causes evaporation, and produces the same atmospheric 

 condition immediately after rain as generally occurs before it*. 



&quot; Youatt on the Dog.&quot; 



