SCENT A^'D SMELL CONTRASTED. 313 



run as hard as it was in their power to run, when 

 they were at least 150 yards or 200 yards off the 

 line or foot of the deer — the stag shut out from their 

 sight J so there was no ^' view," by a bank and high 

 hedge. The hounds, of course, were down-wind of 

 him. They could not have done this by fox or 

 otter, nor can a setter or pointer ''foot" a winged 

 or running bird, save immediately on the line of 

 retreat, though they will wind the covey a long- 

 way off. If the fugitive stojDs, when down-wind of 

 their intended captive the dogs can wind him, but 

 not so while the bird runs away. The pointer's or 

 setter's, or retriever's nose must be on the very foot 

 of the bird. Well, then, viewing all j)ositions to 

 which I have referred, it is beyond my conception 

 as to what governs the scent that '' leads the 

 hound to go." 



If my early readings serve me correctly, ^Esop 

 asks, '' What stirs the dog?" the answer, '' His ears 

 and tail " ; but what I cannot explain is, what it is 

 that leads the hound at tip-top speed to pursue, his 

 ''stern" down and head in air (zKsop, of course, 

 did not speak of hounds when he used the words 

 ''dog" and "tail"), nor why it is that the 

 most filthy and carrion smell cannot overpower 



