THE AIR AND THE SOIL. 129 



ference of soil occasions difference of scent ; 

 and on the richness of soil and the moderate 

 moisture of it does scent also depend, I think, 

 as well as on the air. At the time leaves begin 

 to fall, and before they are rotted, we know 

 that the scent lies ill in cover. This alone 

 would be a sufficient proof that scent does 

 not depend on the air only. A difference of 

 scent is also occasioned by difference of mo- 

 tion : the faster the game goes, the less scent 

 it leaves. When game has been ridden after, 

 and hurried on by imprudent sportsmen, or 

 has been coursed by sheep-dogs, the scent is 

 less favourable to hounds ; one reason of which 

 may be, that the particles of scent are then more 

 dissipated. 



I believe it is very difficult to ascertain what 

 scent exactly is: I have known it alter very 

 often in the same day. I believe, however, it 

 depends chiefly on two things, — " the condition 

 the ground is in, and the temperature of the 

 air ,■" both of which, I apprehend, should be 

 moist, without being wet. When both are in 

 this condition, 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 : 

 G 3 



