137 



AND THE REASON WHY ONE DOG'S SENSE OF 

 SMELLING IS SUPERIOR TO ANOTHER'S. 



Scent is an effluvium which, in a greater or a less degree, is 

 continually issuing from the bodies of animals, and other sub- 

 stances ; but, as these remarks are intended more for the sports- 

 man than the philosopher, I shall confine myself merely to the 

 nature of that animal exudation by which a dog is enabled to in- 

 form his master of his approach to game. The effluvium con- 

 stantly issuing from the pores of all animal substances, consists 

 of minute particles, or corpuscles, which, driven by the wind or 

 otherwise, and coming in contact with the olfactory nerves of 

 the dog, enable him to discover the proximity of the object of 

 pursuit, and, after having ascertained the direction of the vapour, 

 he cautiously ascends, as it were, the stream, and, by practice, 

 becomes a proficient in pointing out the identical situation of 

 the source whence the effluvium or scent issues, and thus prepares 

 his master for the springing of the game. 



Thus sings Somerville : 



" The panting Chase grows warmer as he flies, 

 And through the net-work of the skin perspires; 

 Leaves a long steaming trail behind, which by 

 The cooler Air condensed, remains, unless 

 By some rude storm dispers'd, or rarefied 

 By the Meridian Sun's intenser heat. 

 To ev'ry Shrub the warm Effluvia cling, 

 Hang on the grass, impregnate Earth and Skies. 

 M3 



