250 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



(besides the cloathing and shielding of them from the 

 penetrating air by the descending frost or dew) that the 

 morning walk will give scent so much longer than the 

 flight in hunting. However, it is remarkable, that these 

 odorous particles gradually decay and end with her life, 

 because it requires the most curious noses to lead the 

 cry when she is near her last ; because she is so often 

 entirely lost at the last quat : and because, if you knock 

 her on the head before them, there is hardly one in the 

 pack that will stop or take any notice of her. 



" The greatest art and curiosity is discovered in hunt- 

 ing the/o?7, especially if she immediately steal back be- 

 hind the dogs the same path she came : for it must re- 

 quire the utmost skill to distinguish well the new scent 

 from the old, when both are mixed, obscured, and con- 

 founded with the strong perspirations of so many dogs 

 and horses. Yet, this we have often seen performed by 

 ready and expert hunters. However, if the dogs be 

 not masters of their business, or if the air be not in due 

 balance, the difficulty will be the greater. 



" The reader will observe that the remarks I have 

 made are generally on the hare; which, as I have said, 

 is of aU others most worthy of our speculation and en- 

 quiry.. By analogy, the hunting of the deer or fox will 

 be easily imderstood ; for, though the scent of these is 

 generally higher, more obvious to the noses of the dogs, 

 and in greater plenty whilst the particles last; yet, for 

 that very reason (floating in air) they are sooner dissi- 

 pated, and require a more vigorous, though less subtle, 

 huntsman, as well as swifter beagles." 



