Page:Cynegetica.djvu/36

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
20
Hare Hunting,

ſun diſpel them, or the day is advanced. Then the dogs can ſmell, and the trail yields a ſcent as it evaporates.

The trail is alſo ſpoiled by the falling of much dew, and by ſhowers that happen after a long interval, which, drawing out ſmells from the earth, ſpoil the ſcent till the ground is dry again. The South winds alſo hurt it by ſpreading moiſture [1]; but north winds, if not too ſevere, ſtrengthen and preſerve it.

Rains and drizzling miſts drown it. The moon alſo deſtroys it by the [2] heat, eſpecially at the full; the trail is alſo then moſt irregular [3], for, delighting in the light, they play together, and throwing themſelves, they make long intervals. And it becomes alſo perplexed when Foxes have paſſed over it before.

In the ſpring, on account of the mild temperature of the air, the trail would be very ſtrong, if the earth, being full of flowers, did not puzzle the dogs, by mix-

  1. It is exactly the reverſe in this climate.
  2. This, I believe, will not be admitted.
  3. See the Eſſays, p. 112.
ing