SCENT, &C. 



judgment is allowed to be formed from the action of the hounds, 

 the old staunch dogs will be found to rate on, towards the con- 

 clusion of the chase, with additional vigour, surely not from 

 decay of scent, but the contrary, and from whence they become 

 every yard they go, more sensible of their near approach to the 

 hare, than all the hunters in the field. Yet, should it be still 

 maintained that the scent does really decrease the more a hare 

 is pressed, what can it be owing to ? To lay it down as fact, 

 without offering some reason, is certainly a very arbitrary deter- 

 mination. Is it because she is run out of wind ? If that is 

 allowed, those who insist that the hounds hunt the foot, must 

 give up the argument ; for what reason can be assigned why a 

 hare's feet, immediately preceding her death, do not leave as 

 strong and equal a scent as at first starting from her seat ? 



Hares or other creatures, hard run, perform their inspiration 

 and expiration very quick, at least in the proportion of six times 

 to one, supposing them not urged beyond their natural pace, or 

 to remain perfectly cool and quiet. If therefore six expirations 

 under severe pursuit, are equal to one when a hare is just started, 

 what difference can there be in the scent ? 



It may be alleged, the scent lies stronger at first, because it 

 makes its return from a full stomach, or that at starting, the lungs 

 having not suffered much distention, she breathes freer, which 

 by running low to the earth intermixes better with the herbage. 

 On the other hand, that a hare long hunted runs high, and of 

 course emits her breath further off from the surface, therefore 

 more liable to be sooner separated, and overpowered by the 

 wind. 



To the first part it is answered, the faster a hare runs, the 

 longer she stretches, therefore the lower she lies to the ground ; 

 but the further the hounds are behind, and her breath (although 

 expired ever so free,) remains a long time, in proportion to the 

 distance, before the dogs come up to enjoy it. 



