Page:Cynegetica.djvu/92

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76
Obſervations on

that there will be a great difficulty, or impoſſibility, of trailing to her feat, becauſe her morning retreat being on the top of the frozen dew, the ſcent is either diſſolved, or corrupted, or diſſipated, and exhaled. It is true, after ſuch a night, the Dogs will find work in every field, and often hunt in full cry, but it will be generally backward, and always in vain; her midnight ramblings, which were covered by the froſt, being now open, freſh, and fragrant. If the ſaid froſt begins later in the morning, after Puſs is ſeated, there is nothing to be done till that is gone off, and this is the reaſon that we often ſee the whole pack picking out a walk at nine or ten in the ſame path where Sweet-lips herſelf could not touch at ſeven. Again, if the froſt began early enough, and continues ſteadily till you are gotten into the fields, you may then make it good to her ſeat, as well as at other times on naked ground, though you muſt expect to run a good riſque at the going off of the froſt, according to the obſervations already laid down.

It is alſo to be remembered, that there

is