210 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXXIII. 



have as little inclination to try the one experiment 

 as the other. 



There are two kinds of dogs which have been 

 bred in much greater numbers since the rage for 

 Highland shooting and deer-forests has become so 

 strong I mean the Highland deerhound and the 

 old bloodhound. The former is immortalised in 

 so many of Landseer's pictures that, although deer- 

 stalking may be given up, the dog will for centuries 

 be remembered ; but the bloodhound is not so 

 generally used for this sport as it might be. If 

 greater trouble was taken in training bloodhounds 

 to the tracking of wounded deer, this species of dog 

 would be invaluable to the sportsman. But to effect 

 this, it is absolutely necessary that they should be 

 taught to track quietly whilst led. Almost every 

 bloodhound pulls and strains on the collar, panting 

 and struggling to get forward on the scent, until 

 at last he becomes as blown and distressed as if 

 he had run full speed all the time : and, indeed, 

 more so. Besides which, as perfect silence is a 

 sine qud non in following up a wounded stag, your 

 object will very probably be defeated. Train the 

 bloodhound to keep pace with his leader, and to 

 track silently and slowly, " pari passu" whatever 

 scent he is put on, and he is then invaluable. 

 Many instances of the extraordinary powers of 



