128 SCENT DEPENDS OM 



Through th' open pores, and with the ambient air 

 Entangling mix. As fuming vapours rise, 

 And hang upon the gently purling brook, 

 There by th' incumbent atmosphere compress'd. 

 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 condens'd, remains, unless 

 By some rude storm dispers'd, or rareiied 

 By the meridian sun's intenser heat. 

 To every shrub the warm effluvia cling, 

 Hang on the grass, impregnate earth and skies. 

 With nostrils opening wide, o'er hill, o'er dale 

 The vig'rous hounds pursue, with ev'ry 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." 



I cannot agree with Mr. Somervile, in think- 

 ing scent depends on the air only. It depends 

 also on the soil. Without doubt, the best scent 

 is that which is occasioned by the effluvia, as he 

 calls it, or particles of scent, which are constantly 

 perspiring from the game as it runs, and are 

 strongest and most favourable to the hound 

 when kept, by the gravity of the air, to the 

 height of his breast ; for then it neither is 

 above his reach, nor is it necessary he should 

 stoop for it. At such times, scent is said to 

 lie breast-high. Experience tells us, that dif- 



