THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 195 



"It is a circumstance very universally 

 remarked by masters of hounds, huntsmen, 

 and others who are in the habit of making 

 observations in the field, that hounds have 

 appeared sooner blown when running on 

 moist days during this season than usual. 

 The cause has evidently arisen from the 

 peculiar mildness of the weather. Whenever 

 the atmosphere is damp and warm, it contains 

 a less quantity of oxygen than when it is dry, 

 clear, and bracing, and the effect on the 

 respiratory organs of all animals when 

 brought into active exertion is very apparent. 

 Hounds have been observed to lap water when 

 going to covert more freely on some occasions 

 than others, which is also a symptom of the 

 effect of the atmosphere. 



** Liebig's very clever work may be con- 

 sulted to advantage, to ascertain how and 

 why certain causes and effects in the animal 

 economy are produced; but as many persons 

 who may be interested on the subject have not 

 an opportunity of procuring it, I will 

 introduce a few abbreviated extracts, which 

 are most particularly connected with the 

 effects of food and the peculiar conditions of 

 the atmosphere. 



