Foxy Forecast

On show in London during the Physical Society's annual exhibition at the Imperial College of Science & Technology last month was a delicate device of highly specialized application. Essentially it consists of two thermometers hooked into an electric circuit. In practice one thermometer is buried just under the surface of the soil, the other supported in the air just above. The upper thermometer gives the air temperature, and since the buried one cannot be seen, a dial records the temperature differential between the two. From that the warmth of the ground can be computed.

Theory of those sponsoring the device is that temperature governs the rate at which organic substances deposited on the ground disperse as scent particles. If the ground is too cold, the rate is too slow for the keenest nose; if too warm, the scent is soon all gone. Best condition for a detectable but lingering scent seemed to be moderately warm soil with slightly cooler air above it.

The instrument is designed to be of value to sportsmen who would like to know, before starting a hunt, how nearly ideal the day is for their hounds to follow the fox.

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