138 SCENT, &C. 



With nostrils op'ning wide, o'er hill, o'er dale, 

 The vig'rous Hounds pursue, with every breath 

 Inhale the grateful steam, quick pleasures sting 

 Their tingling Nerves, while they their thanks repay, 

 And in triumphant Melody confess 

 The titillating Joy. Thus on the Air 

 Depend the Hunter's hopes.'* 



But to the air only, Somerville ought not to have attributed the 

 origin or difference of scent, it depends also on the soil, and doubt- 

 less is most favourable to the hound, when the effluvium constantly 

 perspiring from the game as it runs, is kept by the gravity of 

 the air to the height of his breast, for then it neither is above 

 his reach, nor need he stoop for it ; this is what is meant when 

 scent is said to lie breast high- Experience tells us that differ- 

 ence of soil alters the scent; When the leaves begin to fall, 

 and before they are rotted, scent lies ill in cover, a sufficient 

 proof that it does not depend on the air only. Scent also varies 

 by difference of motion, the faster the animal goes, the less scent 

 it leaves ; when game has been ridden after, and hurried on by 

 imprudent sportsmen, hounds will with difficulty pick out the 

 scent, and one reason may be, that the particles of scent are 

 then more dissipated ; but if the game should have been run by 

 a dog) not belonging to the pack, very seldom will any scent 

 remain. 



Scent frequently alters in the same day ; it may be said to 

 depend chiefly on two things, the condition of the ground, and 

 the temperature of the air, which should be moist without being 

 wet ; when both are in this state, the scent is then perfect, and 

 vice versa, when the ground is hard and the air dry, there seldom 

 will be any scent. It scarce ever lies with a north, or an east 

 wind ; a southerly wind without rain, and a westerly one that is 

 not rough, are the best. Storms in the air seldom fail to destroy 

 scent. A fine sunshiny day, is not often good for huntingj 



