HARRIERS AND BEAGLES 269 



is the pack once again known as the Thanet and Heme, 

 whose country lies between Heme and Whitstable in 

 Kent, and which was previously known as the Thanet. 

 Thanet and Heme is, however, the original name, and 

 the pack has had an uninterrupted existence of almost 

 a hundred and forty years. 



Perhaps Devonshire can claim more packs of harriers 

 than any other county, no fewer than thirteen of the 

 packs tabulated in the last hound list issued by the 

 Field being entirely located in or doing a considerable 

 portion of their hunting in that country. The packs 

 in question were the Ashburton, the Axe Vale (who 

 hunt in Dorsetshire as well). Sir John Amory's, the 

 Cotley (also hunting in Somerset and Dorsetshire), 

 the Dart Vale, the Furlong, the Haldon, the Modbury, 

 the Quarme, the Silverton, the South Molton, the 

 South Pool, and Mr. Sherling's. This is a goodly 

 list for a single county, especially when it is noted 

 that beagle packs are not included ; but Devonshire is 

 one of the greatest sporting counties of the kingdom, 

 and staghounds, foxhounds, harriers, and beagles hunt 

 every corner of its area. 



Whereas foxhunting has changed little in fifty years 

 or more as to the manner in which it is carried on in 

 the field, harehunting has witnessed one most radical 

 change, viz. the discontinuance of the practice of 

 dragging up to the hare on her seat or form. Two 

 generations ago, or perhaps a little earlier, it was 

 everywhere the custom for harriers to meet at an early 

 hour, and to try for the morning drag. This would be 

 found in any and every field where hares were plentiful, 

 but hounds were as a rule taken to where the hares 

 were known to feed, and of course it often happened 

 that the drag was worked heelway at first. Hounds, 



