.—The disorder in horses so called, is the species of mange become inveterately dry and scabby by its long duration.
SCENT
—is the leading principle from which the great and inexpressible enjoyment of all FIELD SPORTS is derived. It is the sublime and inexplicable mystery upon which so many have contemplated, without being enabled to define. That every information may be collected upon a subject so rich, and so desirable of attainment to the SPORTING WORLD, a rotational but concise review shall be introduced from those who have given their thoughts in print to the public.
We are told by one, that "Scent is an effluvium continually arising from the corpuscles that issue out of all bodies; and being impregnated with the peculiar state and quality of the blood and juices of that particular animal from which they flow, occasions the vast variety of smells or scents cognizable by the olfactory nerves, or organs of smelling." This writer proceeds in confirmation thus: "Hence the reason why one person differs from another in scent, and why a dog will trace the footsteps of his master for a hundred miles together, following him into any house, church, or other building, though surrounded by ten thousand: and when the faithful animal has thus diligently sought out and recognized his master, he is seldom willing even to trust the evidence of his own eyes, until, with erected crest, he has taken a few cordial sniffs, to convince himself he is right. Hence also we perceive how a pack of hounds are enabled to pursue HARE, FOX, STAG, or any other animal they are trained to hunt, across the scent, and amidst the society of others of the same species, without being diverted from the pursuit of that self same animal they had first on foot; and hence too we discover how it is possible for birds and beasts of prey to be directed to their food at such vast distances; for these corpuscles issuing from putrid bodies, and floating in the air, are carried by the wind to different quarters; where striking the olfactory nerves of whatever animals they meet in their way, immediately conduct them to the spot: and it is by this means the small-pox, measles, putrid fevers, and all epidemic complaints, are communicated, and the plague and pestilence conveyed from one place to another.
"It matters not how much the effluvia may be gone off, so as enough remains to irritate the olfactory organ: for whether it be bird or beast, they try the scent in all directions, till at length they discover that which is stronger and stronger, in proportion as they proceed; and this Nature has taught them to know is the direct and obvious road to their prey, and prevents them from following a contrary course, which is naturally weaker and weaker, and what in hunting is called heel. This observation is confirmed by the encreasing eagerness we perceive in all animals, the nearer they approach the object of pursuit; as we see hounds and spaniels in HUNTING and SHOOTING, are the most earnest, in proportion as the scent is recent, and they draw nearer to the GAME. The same thing amongst quadrupeds, whether wild or domestic, directs the male to the female that is in season for love; and hence we see the DOG, the BOAR, the BULL, and the STALLION, when turned loose, apply their nostrils to the ambient air, and proceed accordingly. By the same medium the vermin which infest our dwellings know how to direct their operations; whether to undermine walls, eat through solid boards, cross rivers, or climb spouts; which shows how much stronger the faculty of smelling is possessed by the brute than the HUMAN species; wisely ordained by Nature, to enable them to seek their food, and propagate their species; but for which they would often perish, or have long since become extinct."
Somervile, seemingly anxious to explore this hidden source of instinct, conceives the SCENT (divested of the dignity of blank verse) to arise from the peculiar property of the blood; which, when the game is on foot, is so encreased in its circulation, that the "ferous particles" are propelled through the skin in perspiration, and
"Leaves a long-steaming trail behind; which, by
The cooler air condens'd, remains, unless
By some rude storm dispers'd, or rarefy'd
By the meridian sun's intenser heat: