218 
VEKTEBRATA. 
FOX-CHASE IN ENGLAND. 
by plunging into some lake or river that happens to lie in his way, and when, at last, ever}' 
attempt to escape proves abortive, he boldly faces his pursuers, and attacks the first dog or man 
who approaches hira. 
The performances of the stag-hound are remarkable. A deer, in the spring of 1822, was turned 
out before the Earl of Derby's hounds at Hayes Common. The chase was continued nearly four 
hours without a check, when, being almost run down, the animal took refuge in some outhouses near 
Speldhurst, in Kent, more than forty miles across the country, and having actually run more tlian 
fifty miles. Nearly twenty horses died in the fiekl, or in consequence of the severity of the chase. 
A stag was turned out at AVingfield Park, in Northumberland. The whole pack, with the ex- 
ception of two hounds, was, after a long run, thrown out. The stag returned to his accustomed 
haunt, and, as his last effort, leaped the wall of the park, and lay down and died. One of the 
hounds at his heels, unable to clear the wall, fell and expired, and the other was found dead at 
a little distance. They had run about forty miles. 
The English Blood-IIound. — A true blood-hound — and the pure blood is rare — stands about 
twenty-eight inches in height, musciilar, compact, and strong; the forehead is broad, and the face 
narrow toward the muzzle ; the nostrils are wide tod well developed ; the ears are large, pendu- 
lous, and broad at the base ; the aspect is serene and sagacious ; the tail is loug, with an upivard 
curve when in pursuit, at which time the hound opens with a voice deep and sonorous, that may 
be heard down the wind for a very long distance. The color of the true breed is almost invaria- 
bly a reddish tan, darkening gradually toward the upper parts till it becomes mixed with black 
on the back ; the lower parts, limbs, and tail being of a lighter shade, and the muzzle tawny. 
