148 SCENT, &C. 



very considerable expansion of the head, though their noses may 

 taper more than the pointer. Thus, at first glance, a bull-dog 

 will be supposed to excel in this respect ; but, on examination, 

 it will be found that his head is rather chubby than broad, while 

 the skin about the mouth is comparatively inflexible and com- 

 pressed, his under jaw projected, and his nostrils thrown so far 

 back as to prevent that immediate contact with external objects, 

 which is seen to obtain in the dogs before mentioned ; yet, not- 

 withstanding all these objections, the bull-dog's sense of smell is 

 of the superior order, which arises, no doubt from the capacious- 

 ness of his head. 



The sense of smell, like most other faculties, is improved by 

 practise. Dogs which are kept in towns, and but little exer- 

 cised, will always be found inferior to such as are quartered in 

 the country. 



