THE BASSET-HOUND 175 



I think the teeth are extremely small. However, as they are not 

 intended to destroy life, this is probably the reason. 



" The ears should hang like the Bloodhound's, and are like the softest 

 velvet drapery. 



" The eyes are a deep brown, and are brimful of affection and intelli- 

 gence. They are pretty deeply set, and should show a considerable 

 haw. A Basset is one of those hounds incapable of having a wicked 

 eye. 



" The neck is long, but of great power ; and in the Basset d jambes 

 torses the flews extend very nearly down to the chest. The chest is 

 more expansive than even in the Bulldog, and should in the Bassets d 

 jambes torses be not more than two inches from the ground. In the 

 case of the Bassets a jambes demi-torses and jambes droites, being 

 generally lighter, their chests do not, of course, come so low. 



" The shoulders are of great power, and terminate in the crooked 

 feet of the Basset, which appear to be a mass of joints. The back and 

 ribs are strong, and the former of great length. 



" The stern is carried gaily, like that of hounds in general, and when 

 the hound is on the scent of game this portion of his body gets 

 extremely animated, and tells me, in my own hounds, when they have 

 struck a fresh or a cold scent, and I even know when the foremost 

 hound will give tongue. 



" The hind-quarters are very strong and muscular, the muscles 

 standing rigidly out down to the hocks. 



" The skin is soft in the smooth haired dogs, and like that of any other 

 hound, but in the rough variety it is like that of the Otterhound's. 



" Colour, of course, is a matter of fancy, although I infinitely prefer 

 the tricolour, which has a tan head and a black and white body." 



