THE HOUND. 231 



both of size and speed is especially studied, and the 

 medium height of 24 inches is probably the standard. 



The proper height of the old English harrier is from 

 16 to 18 inches, but the improved or dwarf foxhound 

 harrier often runs to 21. The old harrier is much in use 

 in the northern States, where he is a good deal interbred 

 with the old foxhound, so that he is scarcely distinguish- 

 able from him, and is used both for hunting the fox, and for 

 shooting the small American hare. When large, he is 

 often called a foxhound, when small a beagle — the latter 

 animal, in a perfectly pure state, being very rare and 

 indeed almost unknown in America. 



When pure they should never exceed 15 inches, and 

 may run as low as 10. 12 is perhaps the most perfect 

 size, and their ears should hang down as far almost as to 

 the elbow. 



Of all hounds this beautiful little animal is the best qual- 

 ified for the pursuit of the small American hare, which is 

 also far better adapted to this sport than the English rab- 

 bit, which he much resembles in size, color, and some of his 

 habits, so that he is often mistaken for him by old country- 

 men, and generally miscalled after him even by Ameri- 

 cans. He is, however, not a rabbit, producing young but 

 twice a year, whereas the other breeds monthly ; and sit- 

 ting in a form on the surface of the earth, among thorns, 

 briers or long grass, instead of burrowing under it. 



This latter habit it is, which renders its pursuit so far 

 preferable to that of the English rabbit, which, where bur- 

 rows are near and frequent, goes to earth so quickly as to 

 spoil the sport, and frustrate alike the pursuers and the gun. 



