THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 167 



covert, which latter is equivalent to the stag- 

 hound going to the place of meeting. The 

 former has to drav^ for and to find his fox, in 

 which effort his powers are more gradually 

 brought into play, and the circulation of his 

 blood is more rationally increased; but the 

 staghound is laid on to the scent of his game 

 without any preparatory excitement of the 

 system, when he immediately goes to work, 

 straining every nerve in his ardour for the 

 chase, and very frequently maintains those 

 efforts during the period of several hours; 

 and frequently, when in an evident state 

 of exhaustion, a time when immersion is 

 dangerous, he plunges into rivers, canals, or 

 lakes — places which stags have such inordin- 

 ate propensities for when severely pressed. 



" The high and stimulating food, which is 

 no doubt found necessary to maintain con- 

 dition during a long chase, is another cause 

 for symptoms of kennel lameness making 

 their appearance with staghounds. The 

 circumstance of the canine species not throw- 

 ing off perspirable matter through the pores 

 of the skin, appears to be a very powerful 

 reason why they are so susceptible of 

 rheumatic affections, and more especially that 



