24 MY HORSE ; MY LOVE 



the substance of the pole-cat as a sure cure for rheumatism, 

 as well as for coughs and colds.' 



Then the odour of musk belongs to many animals ? 



' Musk is probably the most common of animal perfumes, 

 or at least the one which we are best able to recognise. 

 The muskrat, inhabiting our own ponds and ditches, is 

 greatly in demand by the compounder of perfumes, and it 

 is a species of jollification to hunt them, which dogs and 

 negroes enter into with excited zest. In all thoroughbred 

 cattle there is a small cavity in the head, immediately 

 between, and at the root of, the horns. By rubbing the 

 fingers in this cavity a distinct odour of musk will be per- 

 ceptible in them.' 



Have I not heard that beavers betray themselves by a 

 peculiar odour ? 



' Yes, beavers emit an odour well known to hunters of 

 them, in which it seems that Nature cruelly favours their 

 enemies. The poor little industrious creatures, so valuable 

 for their pretty fur, fancying themselves secure in their 

 hidden dams, reveal by this freak of Nature their hiding- 

 places, and thus become easy victims to covetous man.' 



Are not foxes an easier prey for the same reason ? 



* When the hunted fox is sore bested, and the hounds 

 are gaining upon him steadily and surely, he will be seen 

 suddenly to turn himself round and round, with bewilder- 

 ing rapidity, and with his head and tail in close proximity. 

 After several of these revolutions he makes a sudden spurt, 

 and soon gains a great advantage of distance between him- 

 self and his pursuers; and if luck be with him he may 

 escape. Many a huntsman through a long life has chased 

 the fox with enthusiastic ardour, who would be surprised 

 to know that in the very tip of his tail or brush is a Httle 



