HOUNDS 83 



and coot off his tail and made a mastiff on 

 him, and called him * Lion.' " It is a simple 

 transformation, but would not be applicable 

 to a fox-hound. A fox-hound is a fox-hound, 

 and, play what tricks you like with him, he 

 will remain one. It might be expected that 

 any race bred for so long to a fixed type and 

 to a uniform standard of quality would show 

 a want of individuality of character and 

 temper, but this is not so. The disposition, 

 virtues, and vices of every hound in a pack 

 vary. A good huntsman knows the habits, 

 temperament, weaknesses, and qualities of 

 each separate member of his kennel. There 

 are the bold and the timid, the too noisy 

 and the too silent, the sulky and the quick- 

 tempered, the affectionate and the indifferent, 

 the meek and the rebellious, the greedy 



