FOXHOUND. 61 



hounds being not far beliind ; and only twelve out of sixty 

 horsemen who started with them being with them to the end. 

 Colonel Thornton's bitch, " Merkin," is even said to have run the 

 same course in seven minutes and half a second. This speed is 

 accounted for by the greyhound descent, if it really exists ; and 

 that it does so I have little doubt, as it is quite clear that the old 

 hound was deficient in those points which the greyhound alone 

 would be able to giv^e ; but as this is only conjecture I have not 

 insisted upon it. 



The ii)naU rounded ear of the foxhound is due to the roundin<r 

 irons of the huntsman, who removes a large portion of the pup's 

 ears in order to save them from the tears and scratches which they 

 would inevitably encounter in "drawing," if allowed to remain on. 

 The portion left is sufficient to protect the passage to the internal 

 organ, but for which necessity it would be better to crop them 

 closely, as is practised with dogs intended for fighting ; just as the 

 wrestler and the pugilist have their hair crept as close to their 

 heads as possible. 



The prevailing colours of foxhounds in the present day are as 

 follows, placing them in the order of their frequency : — (1.) Black 

 and white with tan ; (2.) The mixed or blended colours, known as 

 " pies," as red pie, blue pie, yellow pie, grey pie, lemon pie, hare 

 pie, and badger pie, the last three very handsome ; (3.) Tan ; 

 (4.) Black; (5.) White; (6.) Red; (7.) Blue; each being more or 

 less mixed with white. Foxhomids are often slightly ticked, but 

 rarely mottled, the " blue mottled hound," according to Mr. 

 Apperley, being a true harrier or beagle, and most probably 



