28 FOX-HUNTING 



to-day is the most perfect animal of the dog 

 species in existence. Pay a visit to the annual 

 show at Peterboro', and if you have not ever 

 seen a hound before, you will be struck at once 

 with the symmetry and strength of the exhibits ; 

 but you must then remember, in the breeding of 

 the animal before you, looks have only been a 

 secondary consideration, so that you can appre- 

 ciate the trouble that has been expended in 

 bringing the hound to its present perfection. 



Besides the buck-hound there was the 

 southern-hound, the fox-beagle, and the little 

 blue-mottled beagle. The southern-hound had 

 been bred for nose and nose alone, so that in 

 time he became an animal of very keen scenting 

 powers, but of hideous proportion, and is now 

 practically extinct. The blood-hound is un- 

 doubtedly a very near relation, and the American 

 fox-hound that still hunts the fox in Kentucky is 

 probably descended from southern-hounds which 

 accompanied the pilgrims in the Mayflower. 

 The old southerner had his good points, amongst 

 which were voice and nose, but he lacked dash 

 and drive ; still, his was the blood that helped to 

 make the fox-hound, and he therefore deserves 



