INDICATIONS OF SCENT 237 



which I will endeavour to demonstrate by pointing out 

 how the atmosphere in connection with other causes 

 affects ' the hunter's hopes.' 



The nature of the soil, in combination with the state 

 of the atmosphere, is a means whereby the scent is 

 influenced, for it is the effect produced under those 

 circumstances occasioning evaporation or absorption 

 which to a great degree regulates the amount of scent. 

 Acting differently on arable and grass lands, variations 

 are recognised; and extending this principle to the 

 vales and the hills, similar properties are brought into 

 action. When the evaporation from the earth is in a 

 very active state there is seldom, if ever, any scent; 

 this is obvious, because the evaporation dispels the 

 particles of scent as they ascend, above the line where 

 the hound can wind them ; and it follows evidently that 

 on such days the most favourable places for hunting 

 are those which are the least susceptible of the influ- 

 ences. It often happens when riding to covert that a 

 countryman is passing along the road smoking his 

 pipe, and I have invariably remarked that if I could 

 wind * the baccy ' pretty strongly, there has been a 

 good scent, and the reverse if it is scarcely perceptible. 



This last incident is conclusive proof that the aroma 

 ascends to a moderate height through the medium of 

 the atmosphere. The steam from a railway engine 

 affords also a strong indication. That will sometimes 

 be seen to rise perpendicularly, at other times it 

 floats, as it were, in the air, and occasionally it 

 descends immediately, apparently traversing the earth 

 in a dense cloud. In both the first and the last cases 

 there is scarcely any scent; but in the second case it 

 may be recognised as a favourable criterion. A frosty 

 air has a powerful effect on scent, during which, in 

 shaded situations, it will frequently be good, whereas 

 in those situations where the sun has power there will 

 be none at all. 



Evaporation is more active on arable land than on 

 grass, and every tyro knows which holds the best scent. 



