ANIMALS PURSUED IN ENGLAND AT THE PRESENT DAY. 43 



hounds. As to the origin of the breed, Captain Ilopwood is 

 not able to satisfy my inquiries ; but the dog most resembling 

 them is the old broken-haired fox-hound still to be found in 

 Wales. They are also similar in appearance to the otter-hound, 

 though smaller. The pack usually consists of from live to ten 

 couple in the field ; the time for turning out depends on the 

 weather. In hot weather, as early as four o'clock a.m. is requisite; 

 but with a moderate temperature, from eight to ten is a good time, 

 and one of the most successful hunts of the season commenced 

 at noon. As the animal never moves in the day, the hounds 

 hunt on the trail of the previous night. The usual mode of pro- 

 ceeding, on turning out in the morning, is for the huntsman to 

 keep the hounds as close to him as possible till he comes to the 

 place of meeting, when they are allowed a slight range. As 

 soon as they touch upon the scent, the dogs pack, and imme- 

 diately set to work. The huntsman must now display his skill 

 by endeavouring to put them on the toe, as they will run the 

 heel with equal readiness. Supposing he succeeds, they then 

 follow the scent of the animal through all its turns to its place 

 of security, where the hounds come to what is called a ' set,' 

 which generally terminates the hunt, as killing the foumart in 

 the open is a very rare occurrence, and only happens when, 

 being surprised in a lair not secure enough to satisfy him, he 

 bolts, and the hounds run in upon him. Supposing the hounds 

 to have come to a set, it is then tried to ascertain, by the 

 assistance of the terriers (three or four of which always attend the 

 pack), whether the foumart is at home, and, if so, a consultation 

 follows as to the practicability of unearthing him. If he can be 

 dug out, he is either bagged for the sport of another day, or worried 

 by the hounds. In case the earth proves impenetrable, which 

 frequently happens, the hounds are allowed to bay some time, 

 so as to frighten the foumart, which generally induces him on 

 his next sortie to take a longer run. They are then drawn off, 

 and brought to the spot next morning, when they will 

 hunt him through all the rambles of the intervening night. 



