SOMERVILLE ON SCENT 241 



Thro' th' open pores, and with the ambient air 

 Entangling mix. As fuming vapours rise, 

 And hang upon the gently purling brook, 

 There by th' incumbent atmosphere compress'd, 

 The panting chase grows warmer as he flies, 

 And through the network of the skin perspires; 

 Leaves a long-steaming trail behind, which by 

 The cooler air condens'd, remains, unless 

 By some rude storm dispers'd, or rarefied 

 By the meridian sun's intenser heat. 

 To ev'ry shrub the warm effluvia cling, 

 Hang on the grass, impregnate earth and skies." 



That every animal, although of the same species, 

 emits a different scent under various circumstances 

 there cannot exist a doubt; otherwise the blood-hound 

 could not hunt the deer which he is first encouraged to 

 pursue through herds of the same kind. Blood-hounds 

 which have been taught to trace the human species are 

 unerring in their object; and applying this property 

 more diffusely I need only observe that common curs, 

 if sagacious, can distinguish the course their masters 

 have taken, even through crowded cities. Here we find 

 an additional authority in Somerville, who describes the 

 method adopted on the borders of England and Scot- 

 land in olden times of tracing the prowling caitiffs who 

 made free with other people's flocks and herds. The 

 blood-hound having been led to the spot where the 

 depredation was committed, he continues : 



" His busy nose the steaming vapour snuffs 

 Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried, 

 Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heart 

 Beats quick; his snuffling nose, his active tail, 

 Attest his joy; then with deep op'ning mouth, 

 That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims 

 Th' audacious felon; foot by foot he marks 

 His winding way, while all the list'ning crowd 

 Applaud his reas'nings. O'er the wat'ry ford, 

 Q 



