FOR THE FIELD AND FIELD TRIALS. 121 



ping attitude. The instinct which, moreover, is con- 

 ceded to have been natural to the pointer has a far- 

 fetched theory most laboriously worked out to ex- 

 plain its existence in the setter. Why it should be 

 natural to the one and not to the other, Stonehenge 

 leaves it to the reader to solve as best he can. 



He also treats the point as being cataleptic, and 

 advances that trait as a reason why it was necessary 

 to make the setter drop when the net was thrown 

 over him. The point is neither cataleptic nor re- 

 motely related to the cataleptic state. The pointing 

 dog is keenly alert in every faculty. His eyes glow, 

 his nostrils play as they inhale the scent, his judg- 

 ment gauges the place and distance of the prey, and 

 his muscles are tense and ready for instant action in 

 the quick, powerful strike to seize and hold. 



It also is extraordinary that "fast dogs, who could 

 not otherwise stop themselves quickly enough to 

 avoid flushing," could stop and drop, a much more 

 difficult feat than it is to stop and stand still. It is 

 not at all difficult for a fast dog to check himself at 

 full speed. It is extremely rare, indeed, when it is 

 necessary for him to stop instantly. In most in- 

 stances he catches the scent and proceeds to locate, 



