66 HUNTING. 



which the sport of fox hunting depends, and about which such 

 various and contradictory theories have been upheld. 



For scent it unquestionably is which enables the hound to 

 follow the line of the fox, but from what portion of the frame it 

 emanates, whether it sometimes lies on the ground, or rises a few 

 inches above it, and what are the atmospheric conditions most 

 favourable to its development, seem to be vexed questions as 

 far from accurate solution as are those of the squaring of the 

 circle, or the precise date of the Greek kalends. This much 

 is certain that hounds will, on really good scenting days, 

 carry as good a head, and run as unerringly fifty yards down 

 wind of the line, as they can when following in the actual track, 

 showing that scent can be diffused over a very considerable 

 space of ground ; and instances there are, rare but well authen- 

 ticated, where hounds have been laid on to a spot where the 

 fox has been seen to pass, and have failed to show even an 

 indication of feathering, yet on being brought back to the same 

 place after an interval of five or ten minutes, have taken up the 

 line and gone away at score, though it was absolutely impos- 

 sible that a fresh taint could have been left ; thus making it 

 appear that scent may be held in suspense, or rise for a short 

 period above the reach of hounds' olfactories, and then settle 

 down again. Our own experience leads us to believe that 

 scent in a great measure depends upon the individual animal, 

 but, as we cannot sustain our conviction by scientific proof, we 

 refrain from arguing upon it. 



On these, as on many other interesting points, the fox could 

 give us trustworthy information. He and he alone knows the 

 secret of his scent, and by his knowledge he doubtless regulates 

 his movements ; he is not, however, of a confiding nature, and 

 for the sake of his own security, and for other obvious reasons, 

 he remains dumb. 



So manifold are the devices of the fox for eluding his 

 pursuers, that volumes might be filled with the stories of his 

 cunning, and of the skill and presence of mind with which he 

 extricates himself from apparently hopeless difficulties ; what- 



