FOREST AND STREAM. 



185 



logical Institutions, is evident from the fact, that with 

 London, Paris and Antwerp, every year quite a notable 

 amount of money is received from the sales of animals 

 raised. Of course such ideas of profit are foreign to the 

 main object of a museum, as animals used for breeding 

 purposes must necessarily be withdrawn at least for a time 

 from public curiosity. 



There has been a noticeable increase in the number of 

 animals exhibited as well as in the variety of species, the 

 total number of specimens this year being 806, an increase 

 of over 200, when compared with the previous year. There 

 have been no deaths among any valuable animals of the 

 permanent collection this year. The births have been as 

 follows: 



Two Lions, Felis ho; one Leopard, Fells leopardus; two 

 Pumas, Felis concolor; one Camel, Camelus dromsdarius; 

 one Hyaena, Hyarna crocuta, which is believed to be the first 

 Hyaena born in America; one Cape Buffalo, Bubalus eaffer, 

 (South Africa); two Fat-tailed Sheep, Ovis aries, (Syria); 

 six Red Deer, Gariacus virginianus. 



Among the most valuable gifts may be mentioned the 

 following: 



One Sooty Monkey, Cercocebusfuliginosus, presented by 

 General Bomford, U. S. A. One Sambur Deer, Bma aris- 

 totelis, presented by Consul Heyse, of Swindimundi, Prussia. 

 Two large-eared Brockets, Goassm aurit.vs, one presented 

 by Hon. Henry S. Sanford, the other by Mr. Thomas P. 

 Ramsdell. One Paisano, Geococeyx calif ornianus, presented 

 by Mr. Ben. Honnet, of Texas. 



The Menagerie has been largely indebted to Mr. P. T. 

 Barnum, Mr. George F. Bailey, Mr. Louis Rube, Messrs. 

 Van Amburgh & Co., and Messrs. Charles Reiche & Bro., 

 for a number of specimens placed by them on exhibition. 

 Among these specimens of greatest importance are the three 

 Giraffes, Giraffa camelopardalis; two Sea Lions, Ewmetopias 

 stelleri; one Manatee, Manatus americanus; one Malayan 

 Tapir, Tapirus malayanus, all exhibited by Mr. P. T. 

 Barnum. 



The Manatee fully described by Mr. Conklin in the last 

 number of Forest and Stream, is a notable instance 

 of the painstaking care of the director, and as was accu- 

 rately stated by this gentleman, is the first instance known 

 of the preservation of the Manattee, away from its native 

 resorts. 



The following table shows the most satisfactory increase 

 of the permanent collection : 



1871. 1872. 1873. 



Quadrupeds 89 103 199 



girds 143 208 347 



Keptiles 14 11 35 



The bird collection has received the most notable addi- 

 tions and the Falconidae family have many fine representa- 

 tives, and perhaps is the best known collection of American 

 birds of this peculiar class. 



We trust to be able from time to time to give our readers 

 further particulars in regard to the habits of the animals 

 and birds in the Park collection. 



Animals, &c, donated tc Central Park for the month of 

 October, 1873: 



One Gray Squirrel, Miss Annie Clevenger. 



One Chati, Lieut. J. W. Miller, U. S. X. 



One Small Alligator, Sanford W. Steele. 



One Red Vented Corkatoo, Charles P. Daly, Esq. 



One White Heron, Master Charles Eaiie. 



One Young African Lion, Thomas C. Durant. 



One Black Bear, Mr. H. Alberger. 



-9 .< H »- 



THE POLARIS. 



AS one by one all the mischievous stories circulated in 

 regard to the death of Captain Hall, of the Polaris 

 expedition, have been traced to their sources, it has been 

 found that they were the merest hearsays, and rested on no 

 possible foundation of truth. Secretary Robeson, having 

 personally investigated the matter, comes to the most evi- 

 dent conclusion that Captain Hall died a natural death. 

 Hall, from our own personal acquaintance with him, from 

 build and temperament would seem exactly a subject liable 

 to apoplexy. The Secretary states, after explaining Hall's 

 habits, that "in the seven days of the severest trial and 

 suffering, when he reached the highest point attained by 

 man, he was much of the time without the necessaries of 

 life. During this time of trial he was living and taking- 

 exercise at a temperature some thirty degrees below zero, 

 and on his return to the ship the air of the cabin was fetid 

 and unhealthy. On Captain Hall's coming to his room he 

 was in an exhausted condition. Lying down in his heavy 

 furs, indulging perhaps in too large a quantity of food, a 

 combination of vertigo, congestion, and apoplexy set in 

 which terminated fatally." 



The death of Hall, the rival of Kane, was as heroic as it 

 was tragic. Such investigations in regard to the manner of 

 his death as were necessarily within the province of the 

 Navy Department were of the most judicious character, 

 and we have never for a moment supposed that Captain 

 Hall's death could have arisen from any other than natural 

 causes. 



The alacrity with which the Government sent out a re- 

 lieving party was in the highest degree commendable. On 

 the whole we may congratulate ourselves on the termina- 

 tion of this last chapter of Arctic exploration. 



It is unfortunate for human nature that too often the 

 best of motives are ignored, and that official personages, in 

 the accomplishment of their duties, are made the buts of 



contumacious critics. 



■»«»■ - 



— The voice of war— the gun-stock; (gun's talk). 



WILL BLACK BASS TAKE A FLY. 



V 



— The Qermantown Telegraph of this week says : — "Several 

 parties have gone down to the Potomac to try their hand at 

 taking black bass with the fly, and we will report results as 

 soon as they are ascertained. Our private opinion is, 

 though it is in opposition to far more experienced people in 

 the matter, that it will prove a tedious diversion. In the 

 Susquehanna, in the vicinity of Harrisburg, where the bass 

 are taken in great numbers, in no one instance reported, 

 have they yet been know to break the water. The fancy 

 professionals will have to resort to young frogs, crawfish or 

 minnows to fill their creels, or refrain from fishing alto- 

 gether. We shall be sorry for them, should this turn out 

 to be true, for this, one of the gamiest fish swimming, 

 ought to take the fly." 



Strange persistence some anglers have m the doubt that 

 black bass will not take a fly. It may be that by some 

 natural whim, or peculiarity of variety or locality, these fish 

 will take the fly in some sections and not in others, or it 

 may be that the anglers have not full opportunity to study 

 and learn "their tricks and their manners." We have taken 

 black bass repeatedly in the "Narrows" at Lake George, 

 but only by trolling, while at the deep water at the north 

 end of Fourteen Mile Island, we have repeatedl)' - taken 

 them with a fly. One day we remember that C. L. Brace, 

 who used to spend his summers at this quiet resort, had 

 tried in vain to tempt the fish, and other anglers from Bol- 

 ton took their hand at it, when observing that the bass were 

 exceedingly coy, darling furiously at the fly at first, and 

 then stopping dead-short when they detected the deception, 

 the water being very clear, we agreed to hook the rascals if 

 the gentlemen would allow the place a half hour's rest. 

 Then taking a small scarlet ibis fly, we whipped the body 

 with a fine thread of sheet lead to give it weight, and after 

 a lapse of time, waiting until the shadow of the ledge dark- 

 ened the surface of the water, we approached as cautiously 

 as if educated trout were there, and tossed in. Instantly 

 three black bass responded, when suddenly checking the 

 motion of the rod to let the fly sink ever so little, and as 

 quickly drawing it forward again, we succeeded in fixing 

 the hook in one of the fellow's lips. Afterwards, we took 

 thirteen more. Agair , last August, at Lake Giles, Bloom- 

 ing Grove Park, Pa., where the bass are by no means abund- 

 ant, we took two with a fly on a split bamboo rod, likewise 

 with reel ibis fly. We observed that we raised them at only 

 one particular spot. This time we were in a skiff, and 

 lying well out from shore, threw in toward a pad of scattered 

 lily leaves whose thread-like stems found root between the 

 interstices of the stones and boulders that lay on the bottom. 

 There was a shelf just on the line of growth Avith six feet 

 of water on it, and just outside a depth of twenty-eight 

 feet. In all kinds of fishing, we have found it best where 

 practicable to throw in toward a shore rather than out from 

 the shore. The reasons are obvious. The angler is not so 

 easily seen through the greater depth of water and the ripple 

 that usually ruffles its surface, while the fish find their 

 small fry and other food along the edge of the channel more 

 than in its centre. We have als» taken black bass in Minne- 

 sota lakes and in the lakes of Canada, but never in any water 

 later than the 13th of August or earlier than the first day of 

 July, though one of our correspondents speaks of bass 

 taking the fly with avidity in the Maumee in May and June. 

 There is nothing remarkable in the fact that they will not 

 rise to a fly at all times, for this peculiarity belongs to other 

 fish as well, and notably to the lake trout (which by the 

 way, is a northern fish that some anglers affirm will never 

 take a fly, although we have taken them in this way repeat- 

 edly). In Florida, during December, we have also taken 

 the black bass with fly opposite Palatka, on the St. Johns. 



See letter from Ohio in our Fishing Columns. 



-Sj-*<». 



John C. Heenan. — There died last week at Great 

 River, Utah, John C. Heenan, the well known pugilist 

 The leading event of his life was his fight with Sayers in 

 Devonshire, England, some thirteen years ago. If it be 

 possible to lift the Prize Ring from the low brutality which 

 always characterizes and attends it, Heenan certainly used 

 his influence to do so. He was said by those who knew 

 him to have been more straightforward and correct than 

 most of his class, and in the latter days of his life to have held 

 the fraternity in contempt, never allowing any allusions to be 

 made in regard to his former career. His death, at thirty- 

 nine years of age, was induced by pneumoina. 

 «#-»^. 



— Some weeks ago, when we introduced the story of a 

 "Manatee Hunt in Mexico" as coming from the pen of Mr. 

 Charles Lannaan, we committed an error. In a note trans- 

 mitting the essay to us he stated that he had received it in 

 a letter from a friend. Mr. Lanman, it would appear, has 



been everywhere, but not in Mexico. 



<*++- _~. 



— If all the streets of London were joined end to end, 

 they would reach in a straight line from England to Ceylon. 

 London's population some 4,025,659 souls, lives in 528,749 

 houses. 



«4 * »fr — 



— George Francis Train has the asthma, and his once 

 clarion voice now resembles the sound of a hammer strik- 

 ing a green pumpkin. — Banbury News. 



+*+ 



— A tract of land containing 107 acres, located within the 

 limits of the military reservation of Fort McPherson,is to be 

 laid out as a National Cemetery. This is another way for 

 preparing for war in time of peace; yet it is one of the sad- 

 dest. Just think of over a hundred acres of land, away 

 out on the dreary plains, being especially devoted to graves! 

 Let some calculating member of the Engineer Corps esti- 

 mate the number of little mounds it will take to fill one 

 hundred and seven acres. 



OUT-DOOR COSTUMES. 



THERE are fashions of forest and stream and of the field 

 and course, as well as of the carriage, promenade 

 and ball room, and it becomes the mission of this journal, 

 in its own peculiar province, to instruct its lady readers 

 and their devoted husbands and admirers in the selection 

 of costumes for out-door recreation which the fashion le-ider 

 of the woods has decreed are suitable for the purpose and 

 becoming to the wearer. 



In this department even more than in house dressing, 

 sound practical taste is required, as well as judgment in 

 selecting the material, which must be healthful, serviceable 

 and graceful; and in attempting to give come hints of in- 

 struction we fear that our rough hand, used to rifle and 

 rod, may make a mess of all this delicate female drapery. 

 Yet possibly we can suggest to our lady friends how to 

 make the skirts of their riding habits flow more gracefully, 

 or to give a cut of sleeve that shall be better adapted to 

 display the charms of the rounded arm which launches the 

 arrow from the twanging bow. 



In an old-fashioned chateau on the Belgian frontier is the 

 portrait of that noble huntress, Charlotte de Laurenton, the 

 Baronne de Dracek, who died at the age of eighty years, 

 about the beginning of the present century. She kept 

 eight horses all for her own riding, and hunted all the year 

 round. The lady is mounted on her favorite gray horse, 

 prepared for a hunting expedition. She wears a green coat 

 with a gold belt round her waist, hat with a high crown, 

 having a small gold band round it; her hair is powdered 

 and appearing behind in small curls. By her side hangs a 

 douieau de, chasse, and all the buttons of her coat have 

 wolves' Leads stamped on them. As to her prowess, she 

 was known to have killed six hundred and seventy wolves 

 in her time, besides hundreds of deer and other game; her 

 boudoir, too, showed her hunting taste, for there in a row 

 stood her saddles, seven in number, also the brackets for 

 her eight guns, and instead of flacons with eau de luce, her 

 toilet stand was garnished with powder flasks and shot 

 pouches. To be truthful as to the portrait of this lady, we 

 must add that the chronicler relates that she was fond of 

 cock fighting, though he affirms, rather apologetically, that 

 " no cock fighting was allowed in the chateau, but in an 

 out-house, and only when the weather was too bad to allow 

 of field sports." 



RIDING HAEIT8. 



The simplest of all temale costumes, and yet the 

 most elegant and perfect, is the riding dress. Yet 

 we seldom see one that, in spite of extravagant outlay 

 and the handsome form which it envelopes, is exactly satis- 

 factory. A handsome woman and a fine horse are the 

 crowning works of nature. To the casual observer the at- 

 tire of an equestrienne appears the same, yet through the 

 reform as well as the fickleness of fashion, it has been very 

 much improved. A dark-brown or blue-black cloth habit 

 is very stylish. The skirt is now worn much shorter than 

 formerly, the goring of the breadths taking away that su- 

 perflous fullness around the waist, gives a graceful flow to 

 it, which cannot otherwise be obtained, and entirely does 

 away with shot to keep it down. The pantaloons, made of 

 flannel or some loosely woven material of the same color as 

 the habit,faced with chamois, ought to be long and strapped 

 to the feet. This masculine appendage ignores underskirts 

 and unburdens the rider with any unnecessary clothing. 

 The art of the habit maker lies in the jacket. This should 

 set as though it grew on a well-rounded form, giving the 

 effect of broad shoulders and hips and a tapering waist. 

 It is cut high at the throat, the buttons down the front are 

 small, and it is destitute of any kind of trimming. Picca- 

 dilly collar with small gray or white bow, and cuffs, easy 

 fitting gloves of three or four buttons, laced boots, English 

 riding hat and cane equip a lady for a promenade d cheval 



Ornaments of all kinds ought to be left at home, if we 

 except a tiny pair of ear-rings, those that screw into the ears 

 having the preference. Superfluous hair can keep the jew- 

 elry company, otherwise it may be lost on the road, and 

 that which has a legitimate right there fixed close to the 

 head. The "jockey is en rhgle for a morning run, the "Die 

 Vernon" gives piquancy to certain faces; but the English 

 hat, with the veil tied carelessly around it, is suitable to 

 ladies of all ages, and is incorporate with horse-back 

 riding. 



In riding, the throat often becomes dry; a cup made of 

 Russia leather, so that it folds up and can be placed in the lin- 

 ing of the hat, is very convenient. It is not advisable to go 

 on horse-back after a hearty meal; the jolting of the ani- 

 mal is apt to cause nausea, especially as the aristocratic trot 

 has entirely superseded the easy canter. 



FOR CROQUET. 



A croquet dress admits of length that is of the demi-train 

 order. As the fair contestant walks over the boundary 

 line from wicket to wicket, the graceful flow of the skirt 

 sweeping over the grass has a very pleasing effect. Of 

 course no one in this nineteenth century conversant with 

 the laws of health, would attempt to play croquet unless 

 the earth be dry. A muslin dress of white ground and del- 

 icate figure, neatly made, with a sash to match, a white 

 jockey hat trimmed with black velvet and a few wild flow- 

 ers, and the neatest kind of a kid boot complete a toilet for 

 this favorite out-door game Be very particular about the 

 feet, for as every one knows how often it is required to 

 croquet the antagonist's ball, remember that bien chaussee is 

 one-third of your attire. Though gloves protect the hands 

 from being tanned and blistered, yet they are not to be 

 recommended, because they encumber one, and not having 

 free control of the mallet, in nine cases out of ten the ball 

 aimed at is missed. 



