THE BEAGLE. 
223 
Such packs indeed are often composed of the latter variety of Dog, which are too small to be 
admitted into the regular foxhound pack. However, if a pack is composed of these dwarf 
foxhounds, the two best characters of the true Harrier are lost, namely, the musical tongue 
and the sensitive nose, and the only compensating quality that these animals possess is extreme 
speed. A pack of true Harriers is distinguished for the melodious tongues of its members, 
which can be heard at a distance of several miles, while the delicacy of their scent is so great 
that they can work out all the complicated doubles of the hare. 
Theee are several breeds of the Beagle, which are distinguishable from each other by 
their size and general aspect. 
The Medium-sized Beagle is not unlike the harrier, but is heavier about the throat than 
that animal, and has stouter limbs, and a comparatively larger body. The height of this Dog 
is from a foot to fourteen or fifteen inches. 
BEAGLE.— Ganis fam Maris sagax imtans. 
The Rough Beagle is thought to be produced by crossing the original stock with the rough 
terrier, and possesses the squeaking bark of the terrier rather than the prolonged musical 
intonation of the Beagle. Some authorities, however, take the animal to be a distinct variety. 
The nose of this creature is furnished with the stiff whisker-hairs which are found on the . 
muzzle of the rough terrier, and the fur is nearly as stiff and wiry as the terrier’s. 
The Dwarf Beagle, or Rabbit Beagle, as it is sometimes called, is the smallest of the three 
animals, delicate in form and aspect, but good of nose and swift of foot. So very small are 
some of these little creatures that a whole pack has been conveyed to and from the field in 
hampers slung over the back of a horse, or simply in the shooting pockets of the men. Their 
strength was thus preserved for the labors of the field, and they were saved from the fatiguing 
walk to the field and back again. Ten inches is the average height of a Rabbit Beagle. 
These little Dogs are chiefly employed by those who hunt on foot, as they are not suffi- 
ciently swift to drive the hare from her doubles, and by patiently tracking her through all her 
wiles, “win like Fabius, by delay.” Beagles used to be much in favor with the junior mem- 
bers of the universities, for the purpose of affording a pleasant afternoon’s amusement. It is 
true that the legitimate object of chase, namely, the hare, is seldom forthcoming, but her place 
is readily supplied by a long-winded lad, who traverses the country at speed, trailing after 
him a rabbit-skin well rubbed with turpentine or aniseed. If the scent be good, and the course 
lie tolerably straight, the endurance of the hunter is severely tested, but if the miniature 
hounds come often to a check, any one of average powers can be in at the finish. 
