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 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 form for the most part in
sheltered spots during cold weather and in shady thickets during the hot
season, but in spring and autumn on ground exposed to the sun. Not so
the running (18) animal, for the simple reason that she is scared out of
her wits by the hounds. (19)

(17) "The form-frequenting hare."

(18) "Her roving congener," i.e. the hunted hare that squats. The
distinction drawn is between the form chosen by the hare for her
own comfort, and her squatti