HUNTING IN INDIA. 241 



entirely of dog-hounds, of rather different shapes and 

 sizes, but in good health and serviceable enough. 



When I returned home I had a kennel impro- 

 vised out of a coachhouse with an adjoining yard. 

 Instead of benches there were charpoys, or native 

 bedsteads, covered with cocoanut fibre. When the 

 weather got cold plenty of straw was added. As 

 my system of kennel answered admirably, I propose 

 to give it for the information of any who may 

 be keeping, or intending to keep, hounds in tropical 

 climates. 



The hounds were fed twice a day, on returning 

 from exercise or hunting. The food was Indian meal 

 (maize) with soup poured over it. In every fifth meal, 

 however, rice was substituted for meal. Except on 

 hunting days, every hound was thoroughly brushed 

 and hand-rubbed after his morning and before his 

 evening exercise. Castor oil was freely used when 

 required, and in case of fever the temperature was 

 lowered with small doses of tartar-emetic, after which 

 quinine was freely administered. Above all, the hounds 

 were never exposed to the rays of the sun between 

 nine a.m. and four p.m. A covered van, rather larger 

 than that mentioned before, was used to take them out 

 and bring them home. It is my belief that by following 

 this system, hounds can be kept in India in good 

 condition for some years, provided that they are sent 

 to the hills from April to September. There is an 

 idea that hounds lose their scenting powers in India, 

 but I believe it to be unfounded. Mine had been 

 out two years all but a few months, and their 



