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quite apart from finding a hare； it is an excellent thing to take your dogs on
to rough ground。 It is there they will become sound of foot； and in general
the benefit to their physique in working over such ground will amply
repay you。＇26＇
＇25＇ Or； 〃pretty often； and less frequently over。〃
＇26＇ Lit。 〃they must be benefited in their bodies generally by working
over such ground。〃
They should be taken out in summer till mid…day； in winter from
sunrise to sundown； in autumn any time except mid…day； and in spring any
time before evening。 These times will hit the mean of temperature。＇27＇
＇27＇ Or； 〃You may count on a moderate temperature at these times。〃
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V
The tracks of hares are long in winter owing to the length of night； and
short for the opposite reason during summer。 In winter； however； their
scent does not lie in early morning； when the rime is on the ground； or
earth is frozen。＇1＇ The fact is； hoar frost by its own inherent force absorbs
its heat； whilst black frost freezes it。＇2＇
＇1＇ Or； 〃when there is hoar frost or black frost〃 （lit。 〃ice〃）。
＇2＇ Or； 〃the ice congeals them；〃 〃encases as it were in itself the
heat；〃 i。e。 the warm scent； aliter； 〃causes the tracks to freeze at the
top。〃
The hounds； moreover； with their noses nipped by the cold；＇3＇ cannot
under these conditions＇4＇ use their sense of smell； until the sun or the mere
advance of day dissolves the scent。 Then the noses of the hounds recover；
and the scent of the trail begins to exhale itself perceptibly。＇5＇
＇3＇ Reading ｛malkiosai｝； Cobet； 〃N。 Lect。〃 131。 〃Mnem。〃 3； 306；
Rutherford； 〃N。 Phry。〃 p。 135。 = 〃nipped； or numb with cold。〃 For
vulg。 ｛malakiosai｝ = 〃whose noses are tender；〃 see Lenz ad loc。
＇4＇ Lit。 〃when the tracks are in this case。〃
＇5＇ As it evaporates。 Aliter； 〃is perceptible to smell as it is wafted
by the breeze to greet them。〃
Heavy dews also will obliterate scent by its depressing effect；＇6＇ and
rains occurring after long intervals； while bringing out odours from the
earth；＇7＇ will render the soil bad for scent until it dries again。 Southerly
winds will not improve scentbeing moisture…laden they disperse it；
whereas northerly winds； provided the scent has not been previously
destroyed； tend to fix and preserve it。 Rains will drown and wash it away；
and so will drizzle； while the moon by her heat＇8＇ especially a full
moonwill dull its edge； in fact the trail is rarestmost irregular＇9＇at
such times； for the hares in their joy at the light with frolic and gambol＇10＇
literally throw themselves high into the air and set long intervals between
one footfall and another。 Or again； the trail will become confused and
misleading when crossed by that of foxes。＇11＇
＇6＇ Cf。 Plut。 〃Q。 Nat。〃 917 F； ap。 Schneid。
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The Sportsman
＇7＇ Cf。 Theophr。 〃C。 Pl。〃 xix。 5； 6； xx。 4。
＇8＇ Reading ｛to thermo｝。 Aristot。 〃Gen。 An。〃 iv。 10。 Zeune cf。 Plut。
〃Symp。〃 iii。 10； 657。 Macrob。 〃Sat。〃 vii。 16； Athen。 276 E。 Al。 ｛to
thermon｝。 See Lenz ad loc。； 〃the moon； especially a full moon； dulls
the heat （or odour） of the tracks。〃
＇9＇ Cf。 Poll。 v。 67； ib。 66。
＇10＇ 〃Playing with one another； in the rivalry of sport。〃
＇11＇ Lit。 〃when foxes have gone through before。〃
Spring with its tempered mildness is the season to render the scent
clear； except where possibly the soil； bursting with flowers； may mislead
the pack； by mingling the perfume of flowers with the true scent。＇12＇ In
summer scent is thin and indistinct； the earth being baked through and
through absorbs the thinner warmth inherent in the trail； while the dogs
themselves are less keen scented at that season through the general
relaxation of their bodies。＇13＇ In autumn scent lies clean； all the products
of the soil by that time； if cultivable； being already garnered； or； if wild；
withered away with age； so that the odours of various fruits are no longer a
disturbing cause through blowing on to the line。＇14＇ In winter； summer；
and autumn； moreover； as opposed to spring； the trail of a hare lies for the
most part in straight lines； but in the earlier season it is highly complicated；
for the little creatures are perpetually coupling and particularly at this
season； so that of necessity as they roam together for the purpose they
make the line intricate as described。
＇12＇ i。e。 〃with the scent into a composite and confusing whole。〃
＇13＇ Or； 〃owing to the relaxed condition of their frames。〃
＇14＇ Lit。 〃The fruity odours do not； as commingling currents； injure
the trail。〃
The scent of the line leading to the hare's form lies longer than that of
a hare on the run； and for this reason： in proceeding to her form the hare
keeps stopping；＇15＇ the other is in rapid motion； consequently； the ground
in one case is thickly saturated all along with scent； in the other sparsely
and superficially。 So； too； scent lies better in woody than on barren ground；
since； whilst running to and fro or sitting up； the creature comes in contact
with a variety of objects。 Everything that earth produces or bears upon her
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The Sportsman
bosom will serve as puss's resting…place。 These are her screen； her couch；
her canopy；＇16＇ apart； it may be； or close at hand； or at some middle point；
among them she lies ensconced。 At times； with an effort taxing all her
strength； she will spring across to where some jutting point or clinging
undergrowth on sea or freshet may attract her。
＇15＇ 〃The form tracks are made by the hare leisurely proceeding and
stopping at times； those on the run quickly。〃
＇16＇ Lit。 〃Anything and everything will serve to couch under； or
above； within； beside； now at some distance off； and now hard by；
and now midway between。〃
The couching hare＇17＇ constructs her