insects the best way in which to build their homes or nests, and also
to provide for their offspring. The following incident, recently
under personal observation, will show that instinct is not always
infallible, says the _Scientific American_: "A friend placed three
small empty vials in an open box on a shelf, in an upright position in
close contact, and they were uncorked. A short time afterward it was a
matter of surprise to find that these had been appropriated by a female
mud wasp. She had placed a goodly number of spiders in the center
vial, doubtless intended to serve as food for her future brood, then
proceeded to deposit her eggs in those on either side. She next closed
tightly the mouths of all three receptacles with a hard lime cement.
Having finished her work, she then doubtless went on her way, satisfied
all had been done for her offspring that a thoughtful mother could do.
But just think of the sensations of those little wasps when they come
into existence, for, while starving in their sealed cages, they can
plainly see, through the impenetrable glass walls, the bountiful supply
of food which was provided for their use."
* * * * *
It has been supposed that the swallow is more rapid in its flight than
almost any winged creature, but the dragonfly easily outwings it. An
observer of insect life relates an account of a chase between a swallow
and an immense dragonfly, in which the contest lasted a long time. The
swallow evidently had hopes of catching the insect, but finally, after
a long campaign, gave it up and let the fly escape. It has been claimed
that the dragonfly was such a voracious devourer of mosquitoes that
these small pests were thrown into a panic if a dragonfly approached
them. It was declared that a fly confined in a room would speedily
clear it of mosquitoes, but repeated experiments failed to substantiate
this claim.
* * * * *
The dragonfly possesses the unique faculty among winged creatures,
birds or insects, of flying backwards and forwards and sideways without
turning its body. There are very few insects that the swallow, with
its marvelous speed and dexterity, cannot catch, but the dragonfly is
one them. The dragonfly without any apparent trouble, will keep a few
feet ahead of a swallow for half an hour at a stretch, and no matter
how swiftly the swallow flies, the dragonfly is never just there when
it makes its swoop. This is because the swallow has to turn its body,
while the dragonfly only reverses its wings.
* * * * *
The investigations of Professor Weismann have done more to solve the
problem, "How death came into the world" than those of any other living
man. It is generally assumed that death is associated with all forms
of life, but this is not really the case. The lower forms of life,
for example, may be said to have a perpetual existence, and not to be
subject to death; for in unicellular reproduction life is practically
endless. In the case of higher forms of life death is universal, and
for a very natural reason. The aim of nature is the perpetuation of
the species, not of the individual, and when creatures have, as in
the case of certain insects, reproduced themselves once for all, they
have no further need of existence. Creatures that nurse their young,
like mammals, and produce them slowly, have need of longer life, or
the species would speedily be exterminated; but there is no reason
why the individual, having performed its duty in relation to the
species, should continue to exist, since its existence then becomes
a superfluity. Between multicellular and unicellular existence there
is, therefore, the marked difference that, whereas the former dies
when it has reproduced itself and so perpetuated its species, the
latter goes on perpetually reproducing itself--one cell growing out of
another without cessation. To Weismann we owe the knowledge of how it
is that death intervenes when multicellular existence develops from
unicellular. The change is effected by the differentiation of the
individual--or somatic--and the reproductive cells. The former have
lost the power of multiplication and reproduction, and consequently
died, while the latter have preserved it.
* * * * *
The most curious of all objects in New Zealand is that which the
Maoris call "aweto." One is uncertain whether to call it an animal or a
plant. In the first stages of its existence it is simply a caterpillar
about three or four inches in length, and always found in connection
with the rata tree, a kind of flowering myrtle. It appears that when
it reaches full growth it buries itself two or three inches under
ground, where, instead of undergoing the ordinary chrysalis process,
it becomes gradually transformed into a plant, which exactly fills the
body, and shoots up at the neck to a height of eight or ten inches.
This plant resembles in appearance a diminutive bulrush; and the two,
animal and plant, are always found inseparable. One is apt to relegate
it to the domain of imagination, among dragons and mermaids; but
then its existence and nature have been accepted by the late Frank
Buckland. How it propagates its species is a mystery. One traveler,
after describing its dual nature, calmly states that it is the grub of
the night butterfly. If so, then the grub must also become a butterfly,
or what becomes of the species? One would be ready to suppose that the
grub does really so, and that some fungus finds the cast-off slough
congenial quarters for its growth. But as far as present observation
goes the grub never becomes a butterfly, but is changed in every case
into a plant.
A TAME TARANTULA.--A half-breed boy of Mexican and Indian blood
recently attracted much attention at Winslow, Ariz., by the
performances of an educated tarantula he owns. He carries the big,
formidable-looking insect in a large wooden box slung about his neck,
which, when exhibiting his pet, he places on the ground as a sort of
stage. At the command of its master the tarantula mounted a small
ladder, rung a bell and performed on a miniature trapeze. Then to the
thumping of a tambourine in the hands of the boy, it proceeded to
revolve slowly about as if waltzing, and when it had finished saluted
the crowd by lifting one leg three times.
After its performance was over, it crawled to its master's shoulder,
where it sat, occasionally running round his neck or down into his
bosom. The boy says he tamed the spider when it was young, first by
feeding it every day until it grew accustomed to him, then gradually
taught it the tricks it knows. He declares that it is much more
intelligent than any dog, and very tractable, though uncompromising in
its enmity to any one but himself. It is as large as a silver dollar
when curled up, though its legs are two or three inches long.
The body is an ugly, dull brown, covered with short, coarse, black
hair, which also covers the limbs, but is very sparse and bristly.
The eyes are small and gleam like diamond points, while the mouth is
furnished with slender, overlapping fangs. The power of spring in
these creatures is said to be something incredible, a leap of ten feet
being no tremendous exertion. The boy, who owns the only one which has
ever made friends with any other living creature, is from the Magollon
mountains.
* * * * *
A story is told by George W. Griffin, of Henderson county, of a
shepherd dog owned by him, which certainly demonstrates the superior
instinct of this little woolly creature over most species of the canine
family. "One day," said that gentleman, "I was driving along the public
highway, and the dog was following me. I stopped to talk to some
friends that I met, and while conversing with them unknowingly dropped
my watch from my vest pocket. The watch had a short piece of leather
attached to it, which answered for a fob. As soon as the chat ended
I got into my buggy, and drove on. I had driven half a mile or more,
when, to my astonishment, I noticed the dog was trotting along close
behind the vehicle with the watch hanging from his mouth by the leather
strap, which he held firmly between his teeth. Of course, I made haste
to stop, and get out of the buggy. As I did so the dog came up to me
wagging his tail, seemingly conscious and proud of what he had done.
This, though, is just one of the many intelligent acts to that little
animal's credit."--_Louisville Post._
* * * * *
When a dog barks at night in Japan the owner is arrested, and
sentenced to work for a year for the neighbors whose slumbers may have
been disturbed.
OPOSSUM.
(_Didelphys virginiana._)
SHAW.
The opossum is the only member of its order, the _Marsupialia_, which
inhabits North America, says Mr. Chas. Hallock, one of the leading
naturalists in the United States. It is confined to the southern
portion, its range not reaching much north of the Ohio River on the
west, or New Jersey on the east. It is probably never found east of the
Hudson River.
This animal is about twenty inches long to the root of the tail, which
appendage is fifteen inches in length. The color is pale grayish, the
hair being nearly white with brown tips. The tail is nearly naked, and
is prehensile; and the general aspect of the creature is rat-like.
"It is with a certain feeling of sadness that we chronicle the dying
out, one by one, of old customs and habits. Each year old usages give
place to new, and the change certainly in very many cases is not for
the better.
"The opossum can hardly be classed among the game animals of America,
yet its pursuit in the South in old plantation days used to afford the
staple amusement for the dusky toilers of the cotton states. It was the
custom in ante-bellum times, as often as the revolving year brought
round the late fall days with their ripened fruit and golden grain,
for the dark population of the plantation, occasionally accompanied by
young 'massa,' to have a grand 'possum hunt _a la mode_. This custom,
through desuetude, and change of circumstances, has been well-nigh
consigned to oblivion.
"Its food, upon which it becomes fat and toothsome to the dusky
palate, is persimmons and wild grapes, together with the various
berries and fruits that abound in the Southern states. After the first
hoar frost has whitened the hills the 'possum is most eagerly sought
for by Cæsar, Pluto and Mars. At night the darkies start forth _en
masse_, armed to the teeth with every available weapon, and accompanied
by a number of nondescript dogs, generally well trained for 'possum or
coon hunting.
"These dogs have some hound blood in their composition, and understand
the requirements of the occasion perfectly. Some ancient shade of Dis
with snowy hair is selected as leader, and he controls the dogs and
manipulates the horn. The favorite haunts of the "varmint" are familiar
to the negroes, and the "meet" is generally held on the borders of the
swamp, where persimmons abound, or, if the moon shine too brightly
for the game to venture far from cover, in the darker vales where the
luscious grapes run wild and plenty.
"The dogs range far from the party, and the moment one of them
strikes the "trail ob an ole 'possum" he gives the signal note to the
expectant party by a short yelp. This sets the sable hunters wild with
excitement; they listen for the second sound, sure to come, which will
betoken that the varmint is treed. They are not long kept in suspense,
for faint, away down in the valley, comes the joyful bay, and at the
signal the whole party stampede, spite of all 'ole uncle Cæsar's'
attempts to restrain them, and rush pellmell through bush and brake in
the direction of the sound. They arrive panting and breathless from
the wild race, in twos and threes, and are soon all assembled at the
foot of a small sapling, in the branches of which the 'possum has taken
temporary refuge from his pursuers.
"Soon a nimble young buck shins the tree, and the marsupial is shaken
off after some difficulty, for he clings with the utmost tenacity to
the limb, using the tail not the least in this battle for freedom. The
anxious dogs below await his fall, and his death is compassed in less
time than it takes to tell it. This is the only method employed in the
capture of the opossum, and this is rapidly becoming traditional."
[Illustration: OPOSSUM.
1/8 Life-size.
FROM COL. CHI. ACAD. SCIENCES.
COPYRIGHT 1900, BY
A. W. MUMFORD, CHICAGO.]
SOMETHING ABOUT DOGS.
Blenheim or Marlborough spaniels, which greatly resemble the latter
in form and general appearance, get their English name from Blenheim
Palace, in Oxfordshire, where the breed has been preserved since the
beginning of the eighteenth century.
Mastiff is the term applied to a very large and powerful species of the
canine family, and there is considerable conflict of opinion regarding
the origin of the word. Some claim that it is derived from the Italian
_mastino_, or the French _mastin_, both of which signify large-limbed.
This word, they say, was gradually corrupted into masty, a Lincolnshire
expression, meaning very large, muscular, or big, until it gradually
assumed its present form. Others, again, say its true origin is the old
German masten, to fatten, because the mastiff is a large dog, and seems
better fed than any other.
These animals were very highly prized by the early Romans, who matched
them to fight in the arena with wild animals. It is related that very
often two or three mastiffs defeated a lion in such combats.
Poodle is derived from the German _pudel_, a puddle or pool. This dog
was originally German, and the name was probably given it because of
being very closely allied to what is known as the water dog. They are
without doubt the most intelligent of all canines.
The shepherd dog--called collie in Scotland, from the Gaelic _cuilan_
or puppy--gains its title from the fact of its being used to watch
sheep, and protect them from marauders of every description.
As to the derivation of the word bull-dog, it is only necessary to
state that this species was exclusively used in bull-baiting, and from
that circumstance arose the name by which it is universally known.
A cross between this and the terrier is appropriately termed the
bull-terrier.
* * * * *
The Alaskan dog is almost human in intelligence. He weighs about 100
pounds. Heavily laden, he will travel sixty miles a day, says the _St.
Paul Dispatch_. With twenty dogs in a team, no two of them are in a
straight line from the driver. When unhitched for the night they pile
upon the first blanket that is thrown upon the snow, and there they
stay. When you crawl into your sleeping bag, and pull a robe over it,
the dog will get under the robe. Unless you are careful he will be
inside of the bag in the morning. The animal's endurance is phenomenal,
and they are capable of strong affection. They are great fighters.
A traveler who recently returned from Alaska says of the treatment
accorded these faithful animals: "The whip that is used on them is the
cruelest thing of its kind that is known to man. Thirty feet in length,
and two inches thick near the short handle, it has a lash ten feet long
that cuts like a knife. The Russian knout isn't to be compared to it.
When a dog is struck you hear a sharp yelp, and then your sleigh whirls
past a bit of fur or possibly a piece of bloody skin lying on the snow."
* * * * *
Recently a little girl named Lillian could not be found. It was early
in the afternoon when she was missed. There was great excitement, for
it was feared the little girl had been stolen, or fallen into the river
not far away. Searchers were sent in every direction, but there was no
trace of the little girl even when night came. Among the most earnest
searchers was Lillian's pet dog, Rover. He ran about with his nose to
the ground hunting everywhere. When night came lanterns were lighted,
and the people still looked for, and hoped they would find, Lillian.
Rover had come back to the house, and in some way he went down an
unused stairway. At its foot was a window that opened into a small
room that had not been used in a long time. Rover gave three sharp
barks, and the little girl's grandfather hurried to the part of the
house where the dog was. When Rover saw him he barked more sharply,
and sprang at the window, in front of which was a chair. The chair was
moved, and there sat the little girl, just waked up. She had gone into
this room to play house, and had fallen asleep. Rover is the hero now
in that family.
EASY LESSONS IN EVOLUTION.
With the growing popularity of South Kensington Museum the directors
and curators of its priceless collections have increased their efforts
to adapt some of the accumulated store of knowledge which those
collections represent to popular comprehension. The results of this
activity have of late become manifest, both in the great Central Hall,
and in the incomparable collection of British birds. The birds, which
have been for many years a dull assemblage of specimens, all stuffed
alike, and bearing an unnatural common resemblance to one another,
are being rearranged in cases with a proper environment of rocks and
shrub, sandhill or marsh; and with a skillful and successful attempt to
display them in their habitat as they live.
The work is not nearly complete; it will hardly be so for two years
to come; but already some of the cases, especially those of the solan
geese, the eagles, the cormorants, and the almost vanished British
bustard, are most interesting and beautiful object lessons in natural
history. A lesson of a different kind is being begun in the Central
Hall. During the period of Sir William Flower's directorship a number
of specimens of canaries, pigeons, and domestic fowl were collected,
and it was sought to show by means of these the variations which
breeding might produce on a single type. Two cases of these specimens
now stand in the Central Hall. On the top of the "pigeon exhibit" is
the common rock pigeon. Below him, tier upon tier, are ranged the
carriers, tumblers, pouters--the thirty odd breeds which fanciers have
produced from the original ancestors. Many of these specimens were
prize-winners in their day.
The same distinction appertains to the twenty or thirty varieties of
canary, which are in an adjoining case, and which are the descendants
of some ancestors whose little wings were not bright yellow at all, but
a dull brownish green. The domestic fowl in the same case are intended
to exhibit similar artificial peculiarities, though it should be noted
that the nine-feet-long tails of the Japanese bantam are not so much
the result of breeding as of eccentric cultivation, for the unfortunate
bird's feathers are carefully trained in this way throughout the whole
of an uncomfortable life. But the lesson in evolution which these cases
seek to convey is to be carried out on a much larger scale. At the
further end of the Central Hall are to be ranged a number of specimens
of dogs, cows, goats, horses, cats, every species, in fact, of which
mankind has produced definite breeds. Even fish, bees, silk-moths, and
the greatly modified native oyster will find representation here. The
nucleus of the dog collection has already been formed, and includes a
mastiff of the old English breed, heads of the Irish wolf hound, Danish
and French mastiffs, Russian and Mexican lap dogs, remarkable for their
smallness, and Fullerton, the famous coursing greyhound. Numerous
skulls, and several mummied dogs, given by Professor Flinders Petrie,
will add to the interest of this collection. The authorities hope that
persons who lose pure-bred or prize animals by death will present their
bodies to the museum in order that they may be added to this extremely
interesting display.
THE CECROPIA MOTH.
REST H. METCALF.
The cecropia, a lepidopterous insect of the family _Bombycidiæ_, is the
largest and most beautiful of our American moths. It is quite generally
distributed throughout the United States.
The large wings, measuring from five to six inches, are covered with
dusky brown scales, the borders richly variegated and beautifully
marked, the anterior ones having near the tops a dark spot resembling
an eye, and both pairs of wings having kidney-shaped red spots.
The caterpillar or larva is nearly as beautiful in color as the perfect
moth, being about three inches long, of a light green color with coral
red, yellow and blue warts with short black bristles near its head.
It feeds on the leaves of nearly every species of forest fruit and
shade trees, till late in August or September; then it descends from
the trees to seek some shrub upon which to fasten its winter home.
Occasionally they will be satisfied with a location in a tree-top, but
not often.
This home building is exceedingly interesting, and although you can
watch them only for a few hours you still linger near and imagine what
you cannot see.
When the right location is found it spins a very strong thread for
the outside, fastening it securely to a small branch, and going back
and forth with this strong silk until it assumes its proper shape
and proportion. You will find it almost impossible to tear it open
with your fingers, and only a sharp knife will enable you to see the
contents. This strong outside is necessary for protection, as the
woodpeckers are very fond of the larva and imago. After this strong
outside is completed the silk is woven very loosely between it and the
cocoon proper. This serves as a blanket for warmth, so that the baby
moth is as safe from severe winter cold and storms as a baby child in
its cradle.
The inner room of this home or the cocoon proper is made of very fine
silk, which can be readily reeled off, and we are told that it has been
carded and spun and knit into stockings that washed like linen, and
that cloth woven from this silk is much more durable than that made by
the silk worm.
But for the delicate character of the larvæ, which are very difficult
to raise, it would become an important article of commerce.
The inside of this cocoon is as smooth as satin and the larva after
changing to the proper state is glossy black, from one and a half
inches to two inches in length. As the time draws near for the great
change to the beautiful moth, the pupa grows very soft and, moistening
the smaller end of the cocoon with a secretion prepared for this use,
comes forth with damp, small wings, which as they dry out develop into
the regular size of the beautiful moth, leaving a round hole in the
cocoon where both the outer and inner cocoon were woven less closely
and strong than any other portion.
In New England the cecropia may be found in the month of June.
Often the larva uses a leaf in forming the outside, and after a leaf
dies and is blown away the impress of the veins remains, making such a
pretty cocoon. You can easily find them during the winter months, when
the trees are bare, if you keep a sharp watch for them.
THE GENISTA.
PROFESSOR WILLIAM KERR HIGLEY, Secretary of The Chicago Academy of
Sciences.
The green earth sends its incense up
From every mountain-shrine,
From every flower and dewy cup
That greeteth the sunshine.
--_Whittier._
The more one studies plant life with reference to its structure, its
mode of growth, its uses and the changes which may be wrought by man
to adapt it to the requirements of his taste, the more one finds it
impossible to repress the words--Wonderful! Beautiful! For there is no
plant so insignificant as not to have something attractive about it.
The countries adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean
produce a profusion of forms noted alike for their beauty and economic
value.
In this region, with about forty-five sister species, is found the
plant of our illustration. Carried from its home, it is now a common
decoration of the greenhouse and private conservatory. Its sisters are
of economic value. Some are used for garden hedges, some to arrest the
ever drifting sands of the seashore, and some to furnish a tanning
principle. Cattle browse upon some species and all contain more or less
of a yellow dye called _scoparin_.
These plants belong to the pea or pulse family (_Leguminosæ_), which
also includes the clovers, the peanut, the locusts, the vetches, the
acacias, the bean, the lupine, the tamarind, logwood, and licorice.
It has been estimated that this family contains over four hundred
and sixty genera and about seven thousand species. Here are grouped
herbs, shrubs, vines, and trees, the fruit of which is a pod similar
in structure to that of the bean, and usually with irregular flowers.
In this family the beasts of the field, as well as man, find some of
their most valuable foods and nearly all of the species are without
harmful qualities. The name of the family is derived from the Latin
word _legumen_, meaning _pulse_.