252 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



Beckford's Opinion 



tides 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 difference 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 motion : 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 tem- 

 perature 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 : a southerly wind without rain, and a westerly 

 wind that is not too rough, are the most favourable. 

 Storms in the air are great enemies to scent, and seldom 



