THE DOG. 59 



sharp curves, with frequent change of direction, 

 is a common ruse with animals which are pur- 

 sued by larger enemies. The reason of it is 

 that the centrifugal impulse acts more powerfully 

 on the animal of larger bulk, and so gives the 

 smaller an advantage. 



Several years ago there was a good deal of dis- 

 cussion of the distinctive peculiarity of the pointer 

 and setter in the 'Field' and other papers. It 

 was suggested that the habit of standing still as 

 soon as game was scented, instead of springing 

 forward at once to seize it, was an instance of the 

 manner in which a natural instinct might be ab- 

 solutely reversed by training. One of the ex- 

 planations attempted at the time for this apparent 

 anomaly was, that the immovable position of the 

 dog was comparable to the pause which most 

 beasts of prey make before a final spring. But 

 we must recollect, when considering this theory, 

 that few of the Canidae pounce from an ambush 

 suddenly upon their prey after the manner of 

 cats. And although a terrier will stand immov- 

 able before a rat-hole for hours together, his 

 patient, watchful attitude is very different from 

 the rigid and strained position of the pointer or 

 setter ; which position also has nothing in it sug- 



