The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2) / Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field

S.

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

Mr. Beckford, equally energetic in his endeavours to discover and ascertain the origin and property of SCENT, very modestly confesses his state of uncertainty, in a few lines preparatory to his remarks made in a letter to his friend, where he observes, "As you ask me my opinion of SCENT, I think I had better give it you before we begin upon the subject of HUNTING. I must, at the same time, take the liberty of telling you, that you have puzzled me exceedingly; for scent is, I believe, what we SPORTSMEN know least about. Somervile, the only one I know of who has thrown any light upon the subject of HUNTING, says, I think, but little about scent; I send you his words: I shall afterwards add a few of my own." Adverting then to the conclusion of the above quotation, he most judiciously proceeds:

"I cannot agree with Mr. Somervile, in thinking that SCENT depends on the AIR only; it depends also on the soil. Without doubt, the best scent is that which is occasioned by the effluvia, as he calls it, or particles of scent, which are constantly perspiring from GAME as it runs, and are strongest and most favourable to the hound, when kept by the gravity of the air to the height of his breast: for then it neither is above his reach, nor is it necessary he should stoop for it. At such times scent is said to lie breast high. Experience tells us, that difference of soil occasions difference of SCENT; and on the richness and moderate moistness of the soil does it also depend, I think, as well as on the AIR. At the time leaves begin to fall, and before they are rotted, we know that the scent lies ill in covert. This alone would be a sufficient proof, that scent does not depend on the air only. A difference of scent is also occasioned by a difference of motion; the faster the game goes, the less scent it leaves. When game has been ridden after, and hurried on by imprudent sportsmen, the scent is less favourable to hounds; one reason of which may be, that the particles of scent are then more dissipated. But if the game should have been run by a dog not belonging to the pack, seldom will any scent remain.

"I believe it is very difficult to ascertain what SCENT exactly is: I have known it alter very often in the same day. I believe, however, that it depends chiefly on two things; the condition the ground is in, and the temperature of the air; both of which, I apprehend, should be moist, without being wet: when both are in this condition, the scent is then perfect; and vice versa, when the ground is hard, and the air dry, there seldom will be any scent. It scarce ever lies with a north or an east wind; a southerly wind, without rain, and a westerly wind, that is not rough, are the most favourable. Storms in the air are great enemies to scent, and seldom fail to take it entirely away. A fine sun-shiny day is not often a good hunting day; but what the French call jour des dames, warm without sun, is generally a perfect one: there are not many such in a whole season. In some fogs, I have known the scent lie high; in others, not at all; depending, I believe, on the quarter the WIND is then in. I have known it lie very high in a mist, when not too wet; but if the wet should hang on the boughs and bushes, it will fall upon the scent, and deaden it. When the dogs roll, the scent, I have frequently observed, seldom lies; for what reason, I know not; but, with permission, if they smell strong when first they come out of the kennel, the proverb is in their favour; and that smell is a prognostic of good luck.

"When cobwebs hang on the bushes, there is seldom much scent. During a white frost, the scent lies high; as it also does when the frost is quite gone: at the time of its going off, scent never lies: it is a critical minute for hounds, in which their game is frequently lost. In a great dew, the scent is the same. In heathy countries, where the game brushes as it goes along, scent seldom fails. Where the ground carries, the scent is bad, for a very evident reason, which hare-hunters, who pursue their game over greasy fallows, and through dirty roads, have great reason to complain of. A wet night frequently produces good chases, as then the game neither like to run the COVERT, nor the ROADS. It has been often remarked, that scent lies best in the richest soils; and countries which are favourable to horses, are seldom so to hounds. I have also observed, that in some particular places, let the temperature of the air be as it may, scent never lies."

Amidst the various opinions upon the origin and property of scent, the most opposite join issue upon the simple question of doubt; whether the particles of effluvia which constitute what is termed scent, and by which hounds are excited to follow the game, are proper identical parts of the animal's body emitted in exhalations of respiration from the lungs, or by the transpiration of perspirative matter through the skin. This, perhaps, is of too abstruse a depth for the utmost extent of human wisdom to explore with success. The opinion of Somervile seems founded upon the very basis of experimental observation, bettered by the sound judgment, and practical remarks, upon the promoting, or retarding, effects of both the atmosphere and soil; to which one circumstance alone seems to convey additional rays of elucidation. It must be recollected by every sportsman, who has occasionally taken the field with HARRIERS, that, although they have picked the trail for a mile, into the very stubble, fallow, or covert, where the hare is sitting in her form; although they are trying round her in every direction, and even within a very few yards; there is then no more palpable perceptible scent, than when they trailed at half a mile from her form; and when she lays close, it is evident the dog, or dogs, derive no additional advantage from being nearer to her, (in respect to finding,) unless by stealing away, or jumping up, she gets into motion, when the scent is then afloat, and continued as already described.

Whether this enquiry will ever be traced to the source of certainty, is almost immaterial; it is a large field for the speculation of philosophy, and well worthy investigation. From a contemplative review of the operations of nature, it is evidently demonstrated, that there is a secret instinctive principle infused into the whole race of animals, whereby they are impulsively propelled to the propagation of their species, the preservation of their offspring, or an implicit pursuit of their propensities; so that no one shall become too numerous and destructive for the existence of another upon whom they prey, or with which they live in a perpetual state of warfare. It is likewise to be remarked, that the greater likeness we discover in the form of the animal creation, the more we perceive their friendly disposition to each other; because the scent of their bodies afford a pleasing gratification to the sensitive faculty, without exciting the appetite; if it was not for which all-wise dispensation of a superior and invisible Power, the same species would devour each other, and the purposes of the creation would be annihilated by the operation of its own works.

The operation is in itself exceedingly simple, and is thus performed: the practitioner being provided with a seton needle, of a size and length proper for the tumour to be discussed, and having armed it with a sufficient number of cotton threads, in proportion to the effect required, and dipped in digestive ointment warm, the needle is to be introduced (if possible) at the upper part of the swelling, and the point conducted through the whole, and brought out at the bottom, as a depending orifice is of considerable advantage in assisting the discharge. The seton having been passed through the ABSCESS or TUMOUR, is then separated from the needle, and the two ends tied together: or if the length will not admit of that, a knot may be formed, or a wooden button may be affixed to each end, by which it may be occasionally pulled up or down, as when the two ends are tied together, it may be moved in a circle. When the swelling is perfectly reduced, and the offending matter entirely run off, the seton may be withdrawn, and the orifice will soon unite, and form a cicatrix, without any farther application.

Naturalists seem to have assumed a greater degree of latitude in respect to the CANINE SPECIES, than in any other part of the creation, where they have been less at a loss. Great musical teachers inculcate strongly, one forcible precept upon the minds and memories of their PUPILS, which is, "when they happen to err in execution, never to stop; because it will inevitably serve to convince the auditors, such are inadequate to the task they have undertaken; when by keeping on, not one in fifty may know an accidental mis-movement has taken place." Just so it seems to have been with speculative delineators of the CANINE RACE; where the pedigree could not be ascertained, the peculiar kind of any distinct class appears to have been accidentally forgotten. It does not seem that the origin of the POINTER is any where described, or by any writer attempted; but by the most respected authority we have, from whence information, instruction, and entertainment, can and may be derived, we are told, "the HOUND, the SETTING-DOG, and the TERRIER, are only one and the same race of DOGS; for it has been remarked, that the same birth has produced setting-dogs, terriers, and hounds, though the hound bitch has only had access to one of the three dogs." The true state of the case is precisely this, that although Nature, in her outlines, has furnished the canine race with powerful instinctive properties, by which their propensities, their pleasures, their dislikes, and attachments, may be disclosed; and notwithstanding it must be admitted, their olfactory sensations are refined in an extreme degree beyond the human species; yet much depends upon the means, mode and manner of education. This has been demonstrated a few years since beyond all manner of controversy, when a gamekeeper absolutely brought a full-grown PIG to hunt and point to the BIRDS; and procured a considerable emolument from displaying repeated proofs of his ingenuity, patience, and perseverance.

The rage for an improvement in the system of farriery which Taplin's books had induced, extended to almost every part of the kingdom, and necessitous adventurers became vulcanian speculators in every direction. Various new, important and infallible plans of SHOEING were hypothetically introduced amongst the infant crop of newly-sown veterinarians; one avowed himself an advocate for long shoes; another, for short shoes; a third, for high shoes; a fourth, for low shoes, and thin heels; a fifth, for half shoes; and a still more sagacious groupe of THEORETICIANS, for no shoes at all!!! To the great credit of the nation, and the strenuous endeavours of investigating individuals, this fashionable thirst of folly, this infatuating furor, seems now in a great degree to have subsided, and affords reason to believe, as well as to hope, the veterinary mania has (at least in this respect) attained its CRISIS; and that the only rational, safe, and judicious mode now in general use, will be no more attacked by the wild and chimerical speculations of those, whose want of professional skill and scientific information must ever render their schemes abortive.

That gentlemen will dedicate part of their time to examine the internal structure of the foot, the anatomical formation and junction of the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilages, and membranes, is not to be expected; but that they will, upon the principle of self-defence, be careful to understand enough of the EXTERIOR, to check occasionally the rude hand of the injudicious or inconsiderate operator, is readily to be believed. The operative act of shoeing, in its general sense, as appertaining to the making of the shoe, the insertion of the nails, and the external finish of the foot, are too well known, and publicly performed, to require the most trifling description. Although one general data, or fixed rule, is laid down, by which all good and sound-footed horses should be shod without an exception, (proportioning the form, size, substance and weight of the shoe to the use of the horse,) yet there are occasional deviations, which cannot consistently be avoided, but must be prudently submitted to, when diseases of the foot, or injuries to the hoof, render them truly necessary. Hoofs, it is well known, are not all alike, nor are the same hoofs always in the same state; some are preserved so by unremitting care, and strict attention; others are permitted to get into decay, and to become diseased by a want of both. The OPERATIVE FARRIER has his different distinctions and denominations for the various kinds of hoof which come under his hand; as the sound, strong, firm, black hoof, which is generally perfect, and seldom either defective or diseased; the rough and brittle hoof, which is mostly wide and weak, requiring nightly stopping at the bottom, and oiling round the top; the long, flat and shelly hoof, which runs all to toe, and leaves nothing at the heel; the crooked or rather horny hoof, which, from a defect in radical moisture, grows into a wrinkled rigidity, that almost sets both the RASP and BUTTERIS at defiance. There are also others so thin, wide, and expanded above, and the outer sole so prominent on each side the frog below, that such are called fleshy-footed, and require a shoe of peculiar formation, as well as much extra care in setting it on. Some hoofs are so contracted with heat, and narrowed at the heel, (particularly if the frogs are wasted by thrush and corrosion,) that when turned, the vacuum bears the appearance of intentional excavation.

Under this accumulation of considerations, some conditional variations must be admitted, from the fixed and proper rules to be laid down, although the fundamental principle should still be the same; and, notwithstanding the superfluous and destructive freedom of the drawing-knife and butteris, are frequently, and with great justice, condemned; yet they must sometimes be brought into moderate use: but those who render them subservient to the purposes required, should invariably retain it in memory, that more may be injudiciously destroyed in five minutes, than can possibly be restored in TEN months. The entire ART of SHOEING may be reduced to a very concise description, and consists in paring the foot (when it is necessary) with judgment, tenderness, and safety; to form the shoe with good, substantial, sound, Swedish iron, of a shape and make hereafter to be described; in selecting nails of a proper size, length, or strength, equally adapted to the shape of the foot, and the weight of the shoe; and, lastly, to the very critical task of driving them properly, clinching them firmly, and finishing the foot neatly.

The act itself being thus publicly seen in practice, and generally comprehended, it becomes only necessary (amidst the variety of speculative opinions lately obtruded upon public notice) to introduce such comparative reasoning, and practical proof, of the superior excellence and rational propriety of the execution, as may enable every reader to take an impartial survey of the different modes recommended, in doing which, he is then at liberty to adopt which ever he may be induced to think approaches the nearest to perfection.

Amidst the great variety of attracting novelties which issued from the press, after the publication of Taplin's Pattern Shoes, was "a concave shoe," most zealously recommended by the PROFESSOR of a public institution, since deceased; who, had he lived only a few weeks longer, would have received the most unequivocal proofs of the fallacy of the theory, when put into competition with the UNERRING criterion of PRACTICE: but happily for him, and luckily for his great and opulent friends, (who were daily and shamefully forsaking him,) he died just in time to save his reputation. Suffice it, therefore, in delicacy to his error, as well as to his memory, only to observe, that the SHOE passing under that denomination (having a smooth or flat inside to cover the foot, and a concave surface, to come in contact with the ground or pavement) was the very reverse of what it should be, and only calculated to render tender, if not cripple, any horse, if obstinately persevered in; as will be candidly admitted by every reader of rationality, when the representation of the FOOT, the form of the SHOE, and the setting on of that shoe, are taken into distinct and separate consideration.

That this may be done with a more comprehensive and general effect, divested of SCIENTIFIC disquisition, or ANATOMICAL ambiguity, a Plate is annexed; which, with very little explanatory matter, will afford the most perfect and satisfactory elucidation. A is the representation of a sound, firm, well-formed HOOF, in a slate of unembellished nature: here is evidently no devastation required—no paring off at the heel—no slicing off from the sole—no cutting-knife at the toe; nor does it, with an eye of the strictest judgment and circumspection, seem to claim or solicit from the art of man, any other assistance, than protection against the injury it must inevitably sustain from harder bodies, when brought into use by constant collision. That this fair and candid investigation may be the less liable to miscontruction, and that cynical misrepresentation, or envious opposition, may not (even in the weakest minds) warp the effect of truth, let it be observed, that the circular line marked 1 is the line of articulation, or, in other words, the distinct line of separation; around which is the wall or crust of the HOOF, (in itself insensible,) where the bearing only should be, and where the figure 5 of E will be found accurately formed for its reception.

That part of the foot extending from the line of separation on one side, to the corresponding line of separation on the other, having the FROG in the center, and marked 2 on each side, is called the outer sole, covering a membranous mass, or substance, called the inner sole, which is of exquisite sensibility, requiring PROTECTION without pressure upon the external part; which it will be seen (by referring to the Plate) is sufficiently afforded by the concave formation at Fig. 6 of letter E, which, upon the accurate inspection of the best informed and most experienced investigators, must be admitted a shoe of the first perfection for the promotion of every good, and the prevention of every ill.

Having thus produced both foot and shoe, as unsullied representations of NATURE and ART, and adapted the make of one to the formation of the other, with a consistency no man of common comprehension will presume to dispute, we proceed to an impartial examination of the letter B, which represents the mode of SHOEING adopted, and some time persevered in, at a place of veterinary celebrity, upon the discontinuance of the very short-lived concave shoe.

As it is a remark of long standing, that the exterior strikes first, so we shall find here, that, upon a superficial survey of the letter B, there is a neatness in the execution, that seems to excite attention, and command respect; but when it is critically examined with the eye of precision, and its deficiencies pointed out, it then loses all power of permanent attraction, and will advance no well-founded claim to approbation or imitation. Admitting (as it is presumed no opposition whatever arises to the fact) that the wall of the FOOT represented by Fig. 1, should have its bearing upon the properly-adapted part of the shoe, ascertained by referring to Fig. 5 of E, and continued home to the extreme point of the heel accurately terminated by the Fig. 7 of C; let us see what would be the inevitable consequence of having the shoes an inch and a half too short at each heel, as represented by Fig. 3 of B, where NATURE, REASON, OBSERVATION, and EXPERIENCE, concentrate their whole force to demonstrate the consistency, the safety, in fact, the indispensible necessity, of its being continued to Fig. 4 of B, as is already explained by previous reference to Fig. 7 of C.

Convinced, therefore, beyond the shadow of doubt, (as every reader may by another reference to No. 1,) that the wall of the HOOF holds forth its own proof, that the shoe should be continued home to the extreme point of the heel, or that it requires no shoe at all; and this alternative being first understood, and then acceded to, by every comprehension, it will be equally clear, that as much as art falls short in the support which NATURE requires, proportional must the injury be, by the inevitable indentation; invariably productive of bruises, and tenderness upon the edge of the sole, thereby laying the foundation of preternatural stricture, corns, callosities, and other ills, which would be more perfectly understood by an examination of any such subject, after a shoe one third too short had been eight or ten days in constant wear.

By way of concluding observations upon the Plate, and its purpose, it becomes only necessary to remark, that the letter C is the hoof of a large saddle or carriage horse, well covered for the pavement of the METROPOLIS, or travelling upon the turnpike-road. That the letter B is a perfect model of good shoeing for HUNTER or HACKNEY, provided the heel of the shoe was continued to Fig. 4, instead of terminating at 3. That Fig. 8 is called the web of the SHOE, which is, in fact, no more than the whole breadth of the iron, and may be widened, or narrowed, entirely by the judgment of the SMITH, or the discretion of the OWNER. That Fig. 9 is the cavity called the groove, or fullering, to receive the heads of the nails, above which (in SHOEING of EXCELLENCE, and superiority) they should never constitute a prominence; and that the letter D is no more than a back view of the short shoe, for some time so powerfully recommended, which has already most deservedly fallen into disrepute.

Having considered it necessary to introduce such minute references as will sufficiently demonstrate the difference between good shoeing and bad, it remains only to add a single deficiency of SHOEING SMITHS in general, who, from indolence, inattention, or inability, entirely lose sight of, or never form at all, the proper line of distinction between the bearing of Fig. 5 for the crust (or wall) Fig. 1; and the protection afforded the outer sole, Fig. 2, by the internal concave example in Fig. 6. Considering this remissness in the operator, and shoeing too short at the heels, to constitute the prevalent and principal errors requiring rectification, it is anxiously to be hoped, that those whose minds are open to conviction, will contribute their assistance to inculcate the necessity of adopting one invariable standard as a leading step to general reformation.