"To every shrub the warm effluvia cling, example, with musk, which is obtained from the musk-deer, a grain of which has been kept freely exposed to the air of a room, whose doors and windows were kept constantly open for a period of ten years, during which time the air, thus continually changed, was completely impregnated with the odour of musk; and yet, at the end of that time, the particle was found to have not perceptibly diminished in weight. 274. Why is a moist atmosphere the best for scent? Because moisture not only imbibes and holds the peculiar matters yielding the odour, but presents it to the nerves of smell, which are spread out upon the internal chambers of the nose, in that state which is best adapted to impress the nerves. 275. We know that just before rains set in, when the atmosphere is humid, but not wet, drains give forth unpleasant smells. Certain bodies possess the property of exciting sensations of a peculiar nature, which cannot be perceived by the organs of taste or touch, but seem to depend upon the diffusion of the particles of the substances through the surrounding air in a state of extreme minuteness. As the solubility of a substance in liquid seems a necessary condition of its exciting the sense of taste, so does its volatility or tendency to a vaporous state appear requisite for its possession of odorous particles. 276. Why is a wet day unfavourable for scent? Because then the odorous effluvia becomes, as it were, " drowned" by excess of moisture. It is absorbed and neutralised by water, instead of being suspended in vapour. We know that persons having colds, in which condition the mucous membranes of the nose are in an extreme state of humidity, lose their power of smell. 277. Why, when the ground is hard and the air dry, is there little scent? Because the vapour which serves as the menstrum of communication is absent. 278. Why does scent sometimes lie breast high ? Because sometimes a stratum of humid air lies over the earth a little above the surface. This arises from the difference between the temperature of the earth and the air, and is frequently made "But the milder ayre with season moderate, Gently attempered, and disposed so well That still it breathed forth sweet and holesome smell."-SPEnser. manifest by the "creeping mists" of morning and evening. The scent is most manifest where a favourable condition of humidity prevails, and hence it is strongest in the upper stratum. 279. Why does scent rarely lie with a north or east wind? Because those winds being generally dry, and frequently cold, are unfavourable to the retention of scent, which becomes diffused and weakened instead of retained, as it were, in solution. 280. The different manners or attitudes in which the dog runs afford satisfactory and pleasing illustrations of the nature of the scent. Sometimes they will be seen galloping with their noses in the air, as if their game had flown away, and an hour or two afterwards every one of them will have his muzzle on the ground. The condition of the atmosphere has changed, and the scent has risen or fallen in proportion.* 281. Why is scent generally good when the wind is southerly? Because the south wind is generally humid and warm. For a similar reason, a westerly wind is, next to the south wind, in its favourable conditions. 282. In the evening when dews are forming, we recognise the fragrance of flowers and the odour of sweet hay. This is a sufficient confirmation that a moderate degree of humidity is best adapted to the transmission of scents. 283. Why, when cob-webs hang on the bushes, is scent seldom good? Because spiders spread out their webs in dry air, and gather them in when it is moist or wet. Therefore, when the webs are out it is a sure indication that the dryness of the air is unfavourable to scent. 284. Why in a hard rain, if the air is mild, will scent sometimes be very good? Because after a heavy rain the air is left in a dry state, ready immediately to absorb vapour. The mildness of the temperature at once causes evaporation, and produces the same atmospheric condition immediately after rain as generally occurs before it. "Youatt on the Dog." "Tis raging noon; and, vertical, the sun 285. Why do sudden storms destroy scent? Because they rapidly change the conditions upon which it depends. Storms of rain produce a superabundance of wet; storms of wind dry the air, and disperse the effluvia; storms of hail and snow produce cold, and, if succeeded by an immediate thaw, result in a wet surface, with sluggish evaporation; but if no thaw occurs, then a cold dry air rests over the earth. 286. Why are sunshiny days not good for scent? Because then there is a rapid movement of the vapours of the earth, from the surface to a, considerable elevation in the atmosphere. This may be observed in what is called the "steaming" of the earth on a hot day. The scent is, in such a condition, borne away, and dispersed above the reach of the dogs employed in the hunt. 287. Why is a warm day without sunshine good for scent? Because then the evaporation from the earth's surface proceeds gradually. Instead of rising rapidly under the glaring heat of the sun, the vapours lie for a time upon the surface; and when the vapours lie the scent lies also. 288. Why does scent lie badly upon fallows and beaten roads? Because there is nothing to detain it; every blade of grass, or moss, or frond of fern, serves to give stillness to the stratum of air immediately over the earth's surface. But where there are no such checks to atmospheric motion, every impulse of the air spreads far and wide, and disperses all local exhalations. 289. Why is scent frequently good by hedgerows, when bad in the coppice or in the open field? Because the coppice may be too wet, and the scent be drowned; and the open field, being quickly dried by the sun, or swept by a brisk wind, the scent may be dispersed; while the hedgerow, sheltered from the wind, and partially so from the sun, may preserve the conditions required. "And, all within, it full of wyndings is And hidden wayes, that scarce a hound by smell Can follow out those false footsteps of his."-SPENSER. 290. Why do dogs of different breeds exhibit a peculiar faculty for particular scents? These peculiarities are dependent partly upon organisation and upon training. The short thick nose of the beagle is adapted for a ground-scent, while the longer nose of the setter is better adapted for catching the impregnated air. In the breaking-in of dogs it is necessary to correct their false points at first; they will stand at larks, blackbirds, thrushes, and, indeed, at anything emitting an unusual odour. By discipline they are taught to disregard all scents but those of their particular game. The foxhound, well broken-in, will rarely challenge at the scent of the hare, nor will he even change his fox. 291. The scent of different animals possesses very various degrees of pungency and distinctive qualities. Scents that are appreciable by some animals are imperceptible by others: thus the exhalations of the fox, badger, or pole-cat, are obvious to man; but those of the hare, rabbit, and winged game, to their enemies only. The animal effluvia themselves differ, not only according to the variety of the animal they escape from, but also as the exhalations of each animal vary with circumstances. The hunted stag is never changed-the hunted fox and the hunted hare may be changed many times. "The Country Squire' on the same head remarks:-"It is to be remembered that there is no small accidental difference in the very particles of scent; I mean, that they are stronger, sweeter, or more distinguishable at one time than at another, and that this difference is found not only in diverse, but often in the same individual creature, according to the changes of the air or the soil, as well as of her own motions or conditions. That there is a different scent in other animals of the same species is evident from draught hounds, which were formerly made use of for tracking and pursuing thieves and deer-stealers; or rather from any common cur or spaniel, which will hunt out their masters or their master's horse distinctly from all others; and that it is the same with the hare is no less visible with the old beagles, which will not readily change for a fresh one, unless she starts in view, or unless a fault happens that puts them in confusion, and inclines them in despair to take up with the next they can come by." Had the Country Squire been a stag-hunter also, he would have noted this peculiarity of the scent of the hunted stag, which, as already observed, is never lost, though scores of this kind are near. This veteran judiciously remarks on the nature of scent, that many circumstances may change it; according to his opinion, it is at one time composed of very fine particles, and at another of particles equally gross, and that this difference is frequently occasioned by accidental circumstances. Thus, he says, the coursing of a cur dog, which may follow the hare during the run, will commonly produce a different effluvium to the rest, and a fault is therefore almost always the consequence of this "It was a comfort, too, to see Those dogs that from him ne'er would rove, With glances of depending love."-HALLAM. accident in the hare chase. "The hounds," he says, "must be again put on the scent before they will acknowledge it for their game; the reason is, the changing the motion causes one in the perspiring particles. The alterations of scent in a yielding hare are less frequently productive of faults, because they are more gradual, and insensibly grow smaller; but that alterations there are every dog-boy knows, by the old hounds pressing forward with greater earnestness as the hare is nearer her end.* 292. Why are foxes that are found early in the day easily caught? Because, as they feed by night, they are incapable of fast running before their nocturnal meal has been digested. 293. Why is the Newfoundland dog of greater service to man than any other, especially as a water-dog? Because he not only displays great sagacity and willingness in assisting drowning persons, but he is also provided with semiwebbed feet, which make him a good swimmer. 294. Innumerable instances of Newfoundland dogs having saved human life are on record. The following is a case in point :-A person was once travelling in Holland, accompanied by a Newfoundland dog. Not taking proper heed of his steps on an evening walk along a high bank by the side of one of those deep canals common in that country, his foot slipped, and he fell into the water; and, being unable to swim, he was soon deprived of his senses. In the mean time, the dog no sooner discovered the danger to which his master was exposed, than he was in the water, and engaged in the struggle to rescue him from peril. A party at a distance saw the sagacious creature at one moment pushing, and at another dragging the body towards a small creek, where at length he succeeded in landing his charge, and placing it as far from the water as possible. This being done, the dog just shook himself, and then licked the face and hands of his apparently dead master. The body being conveyed to a neighbouring house, the efforts to restore animation were successful. From the marks of teeth on the body, it appeared that the dog had taken his first hold on the shoulder; but finding that this did not keep the head out of water, the instinct of the animal prompted him to change his grasp from the shoulder to the neck, by which he was enabled to raise the head, and to keep it so for a distance of a quarter of a mile. 295. Why does a dog toss his head about in such a variety of attitudes when endeavouring to masticate a tough substance? Because, owing to a limited power of the mouth, he can divide • Blaine's "Encyclopædia of Rural Sports." |