452 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



ago from the stomach or viscera of a Carolina deer (G'erras 

 inrginiami.i), and it has been retained ever since as an heir- 

 loom in the family. The stone is about, two inches in length 

 and in diameter at the middle. In form it is not unlike an 

 elongated egg, somewhat pointed at each end (a prolate 

 spheroid). The surface-coating of phosphate of lime is 

 highly polished, and of a mottled brown color. In the pres- 

 ence of a party of gentlemen at "Ingleside" tlje stone was 

 carefully cut a few days since, and, as was expected, a hard 

 substance found in its centre, which proved to be a pebble of 

 quartz. 



The nucleus is covered with a deposit of phosphate of lime 

 in nine annual layers, showing a growth of at least that num- 

 ber of years. 



This is the fifth Bezoar or Persian medicine stone examined 

 by Professor Holmes. The first contained a flattened ball, or 

 buckshot, of lead ; the second, a quartz pebble ; the third 

 and fourth each an acorn, and the fifth a pebble like the sec- 

 ond. The buckshot specimen was destroyed during the war, 

 when Professor Holmes' library was burned, but the others 

 are at present at Ingleside, and form, perhaps, the most re- 

 markable collection of the kind known. A description of the 

 buckshot specimen, with colored figures, was published many 

 years ago in the Charleston Medical Journal, and copies in 

 photograph have been lately made of it. 



Ingleside, the country seat of Professor Holmes, contains 

 just now not only these rare Bezoars, but one of the most 

 unique collections of the abnormal forms of antlers of the 

 Carolina deer we know of ; the main hall, library and cabinet 

 walls are hung with about two hundred specimens, which are 

 greatly admired, not only by sportsmen and naturalists, but 

 excite the wonder of many Northern tourists who visit annu- 

 ally these ancient " baronial halls of Goosecreek."— Ex. 



%H$oodhnd, „0irm Httd (§%rdm. 



THIS DEPAETMENT 18 EDITED BY W. J. DAVIDSON, SEO. N. T. 

 HOETICBXTURAL SOCIETY. 



GRINDELIA ROBUSTA AS A REMEDY 

 FOR IVY POISONING. 



Vitality of Axts. — A' number of curious observations 

 Have been made by the Rev. H. C. McCook on the endurance 

 by ants of extremes of heat and cold, and the results have 

 been published in the proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy. 

 This year a formicary of F.pennsylvaniaa wits cut from an oak 

 bough, and exposed out of doors to the rigor of a mountain 

 winter, and survived. A number were dropped separately 

 upon ice, and were found alive after forty-eight hours, each in a 

 little depression. • F. rufa was, found active in its formicary 

 at 34 deg. F., sluggish at 30 deg. The extreme of heat 

 seemed also to be endured by F. pennsylva?iica ; they did not 

 suffer at all from the heat of stones walling in a camp fire, 

 having been driven into the position out of a burning stump. 

 A community of agricultural ants (if. mokfacens),-lived in a 

 mound upon which some smiths in Texas biade their fires for 

 heating wagon tires. Numbers of ants were seen at work by 

 Dr< Lincecum cleaning out the entrance to their city before 

 the entire extinction of the fire just used for heating tires. 

 They had learned all about the fire and knew how to work in 

 and around the dying embers without injury. A quality of 

 mason ants (a variety of F. Ruja), observed by Mr. McCook, 

 were accidentally flooded under five inches of water, and they 

 appeared quite dead and floated about in this condition for 

 many hours ; but subsequently most of them recovered full 

 activity. In Texas Mr. Lincecum found that the agricultural 

 ants are seen in great numbers in wells, forming a sort of 

 floating'mass as large as an orange, clinging together. In 

 this condition they got drawn up in the bucket, and though 

 they may have been in the water a day or two, they were ail 

 found alive. Yet individuals cannot survive under water 

 more than sis minutes, and life in these balls can only be pre- 

 served by the mass revolving either by the continued struggle 

 of the individual insect, or by an instinctive and orderly 

 movement of the outer tier of ants. 



Anothee Fox with a White Foot.— In a recent issue of 

 Foeest and Steeam I see an account of a red fox with 

 white hind feet. He is not the only one, as 1 shot a large 

 dog fox to-day ahead of my hounds whose hind legs were 

 snow white to the ganibrel joint. 



To Clean Btjok8KjJJ Gloves.— Take half a pound of pre 

 pared chalk, half a pound of prepared alum, three cakes of 

 pipeclay, half an ounce of oxalic acid, one-half ounce isinglass, 

 one ounce pumice stone powered, one tablespoonful of starch, 

 six tablegpooufuls of sweet oil, two ounces of white soap. 

 To be mixed in boiling water; the oxalic acid and prepared 

 alum to be added lust. 



A Wild Hoo— One-Eyed and Earless.— The Pittsburg 

 (Pa.) Standard of a recent date describes a new monster 

 whose aspect would have terrified that valiant traveler, Sir 

 John Mandeville himself : 



^^s since Mr. W. Miller u f Uniontown. who, like 

 JNimiud of old, is a mighty hunter, and keeps a pack of fif- 

 teen hounds, captured an earless wild hog in the mountains 

 of Fayette county. The animal not only has no auricular ap- 

 pendages but no orifice in the head for the admission of 

 sound, and is in consequence totally deaf. It has also but 

 T.t^f' W - 1C 1 1 ' h . ow f. ver - i 8 large enough for two, being 

 ?fin no 3 me 'T- 1U dla , mete . r - The animal will weigh about 

 ^nH^^' aDd 1 1S - aS 1 fer0clolls as a bear - Mr. Miller will 

 send it to the zoological garden in Philadelphia. Mr. Miller is 



He lately killed four deer on one excursion." 



■ — -*+^ 



ARRIVALS EBCSrVBD AT THE CENTRAL PiKK Mf.NAUERIE FOR THE 



Week t*r.rNG Jak. 13, ISTs.-Seven Guinea baboon,, CynocepWu* 

 *pmx; one Patas monkey, Cercopithccvs ruber; three Polar fears 

 DtawmttftliMM; one axis deer, Cervua ax-U; ono Hog deer r, V, 2 

 poranus; two lnd.au antelope, Antilope corvicapra; one mottled owl 

 *W*« pream ei by Mr. £. K. McCany, N,w York City ; one Homed 

 0W, ' 7i '" -'-ibyMr. Ed Mi ork-ctry. 

 W. A. Cokklin, Director. 



I*-DiA-Hrr B3ER Sporting Good.s.-SucIi articles which in- 

 duce to the coi^t and health of the sportsman nre numer- 

 ous 1 hen are Bshing stockings, pants", boots, clothing, <mn 

 Covers and blankets, all made of rubber. If the 6uW 

 man tnwsgee to weatliar wind, sleet mid rain in water-proof 

 doli,; ' ,lli "< fi^s comfort in drinking-enps and 



canteefls rftftde of rubbsr. Messrs. D. Hodgmtm & Co of 

 27 Maiden Lun . corner of Nassau street, keepafull 

 ment of these most useful goods, and we can recommend 



these gentlemen and (heat , , t) lue attention of ' nature's prodnctions-and "you have something on your table 



our many readers. Messrs, Hodgman & Co. are also the i,,„j. , Jj' al reminds you of God's creation, and gives you a link with 

 ing people for i ue sale of rubber foot-balls, supplying most of 

 the coDeges with their balls. 



IN a recent number of " New Remedies," published by Wm. 

 Wood & Co., of New York City, I find an article copied 

 from the Scientific American upon the use of Grindelia ro- 

 busta as a remedy for oak and ivy poisoning, and as it is of 

 special interest, particularly to your Western sporting friends, 

 I have ventured to transcribe it, or at least the most interest- 

 ing portion thereof. James G. Steele, of San Francisco, 

 writes to the Scientific American that the Rhus toxicodendron 

 is a very common cause of a great deal of misery and suffering 

 in California, and contributes a paper on the properties of 

 Grindelia robusta as a remedy, from whi-h the following is 

 taken • "Dr. L. A. Canfield (deceased), of Monterey, Cal., 

 was the first," so Mr. Steele says, "to call the attention of the 

 medical profession to the therapeutic action of Grindelia ro- 

 busta in cases of ' oak poisoning.' Some twelve years since he 

 caused to be published in the Pacific Medical and Surgicai 

 Journal a short account of this plant— its botanical features, 

 habitat and medicinal value. My attention being thus direct- 

 ed to the plant, I procured specimens and prepared various 

 pharmaceutical compounds containing the virtues of the drug, 

 which were prescribed by the medical faculty of this city with 

 sufficient success to warrant me in keeping a bountiful supply 

 of the plant. It has been my practice yearly, during the 

 months of May and June, to go into the rural districts and 

 have gathered and dried in the shade one or two tons of Grin- 

 delia robusta." Here follows description of the manner of 

 preparing the fluid extract, which is to be used as follows : 

 "For poison oak eruptions, the best method is to mix one or 

 two teaspoonfuls of the strong fluid extract of Grindelia with 

 half a tumbler of cold or tepid water and apply freely, with a 

 sponge or cloths dipped in the mixture, to the parts affected. 

 One or two applications will often suffice for a cure ; but if 

 the disease has been of long duration, several days may elapse 

 before entire relief is obtained. In severe cases of poisoning, 

 cloths dipped in the solution may be bound upon the parts, 

 and, if necessary, more of the fluid extract added. The most 

 obstinate case of poisoning will be overcome by this mode of 

 treatment, and immediately after the first application the 

 most surprising relief is experienced. Another medicinal use 

 has been found for Grindelia and its preparations. Asthma 

 and kindred ailments have been made to succumb in a re- 

 markable manner." Wishing to know something more of this 

 plant, I wrote to my friend, Prof. J. T. Rothrock, of the 

 University of Pennsylvania, whose knowledge of the medici- 

 nal flora of our country is excelled by none, and the follow- 

 ing is his reply : 



My Dear Doctor— Grindelia robusta Is one of the composite found very 

 commonly in the open grounds of California, as, for example, the 

 place where we camped during our field work of 1875, near Santa Bar- 

 bara, California, it is abundantly covered with a gummy exudation. 

 The leaves are thick and the whole plant has a harsh, rigid appearance. 

 It has been reported to be of value in asthma, and also in poisoning 

 from the California poison oak, a species related to our own. I am not 

 aware that it has been tried as a remedy for our own poison oak, though 

 if of value in the one it would probably be also in the other. Local use 

 of the fluid extract of serpentaria is, in my hands, a never-falliMk 

 itemed; for our own poison oak (see Hartshorne Essentials of Practical 

 Medicine) from which I learned its use. 



Ever youw, J. T. Rothrock. 



In view of the facts above stated, I trust no apology will 

 be needed for inflicting upon your readers this notice, as many 

 of our sportsmen, owing to a peculiar susceptibility to vege- 

 table poisoning are entirely debarred from following their fa- 

 vorite pursuits. In this connection I may mention that j 

 have no less than three botanical friend who have never suf- 

 fered from the poison oak, notwithstanding the experiment 

 has beeu frequently made of rubbing the hands, neck and 

 face with the leaves and other parts of this plaut. Here the 

 old adage comes in—" One man's meat is another man's poi- 

 son." Very truly yours, U. 0. Yakeow, M. D. 



habit of having flowers in season set upon his table, we be- 

 lieve, morning, noon, and night — that is to say, at all meals, 

 seeing that they were growing all day. Now here is a fashion 

 that will last you forever, if you please — never change, with 

 silks, and velvets, and silver forks, nor be dependent on 

 caprice, or some fine gentleman or lady who have nothing but 

 caprice and changes to give them importance and a sensa- 

 tion. Flowers on the morning table are especially suited to 

 them. They look like the happy wakening of creation ; they 

 bring the breath of nature into your room ; they seem the 

 very representative and embodiment of the very smile sof your 

 home, the graces of good morrow. Leigh Hukt. 



—The pineapple trade with the Bermudas has assumed 

 great importance. During the shipping season just closed 

 about 130 cargoes of pineapples were shipped to JMew York, 

 Philadelphia and Baltimore. Ninety voyages were made by 

 American vessels in the conveyance of this fruit to the United 

 States. The freight earnings of these vessels is computed at 

 $100,000, and the amouDt realized by the sale of the cargoes 

 was spent in the purchase of American goods for return 

 cargoi s. 



—^m — • 



Flowkks fob Home Decoration.— Set flowers on your 

 table— a whole nosegay if you can getH; but two or three, 

 or a single flower— a rose, a pink, a daisy. 13 ring a few 

 buttercups from your last field work, and keep 

 them alive in a little water; pn serve bui n bunch 

 or a handful erf flowering grass- one of the most 



tucpoetslbaf have done it most honor. Put a rose, or a 

 Illy, or a violet on your table, and you and Lord Bacon have 

 a custom in common, for this great and wise man was in the 



Luting foe Trees. — In pruning large limbs some com- 

 position should always be at hand to cover the wound. This 

 will not only prevent its cracking by the cold in winter prun- 

 ing, but will keep out the air and maintain the exposed wood 

 in a sound state until it is covered with a new layer of bark. 

 Many compositions have been in fashion abroad for this pur- 

 pose, which under our summer sun and wintry frosts are 

 Dearly worthless, as they generally crack and fall off in a 

 single year. The following is a cheap and admirable appli- 

 cation which we recommend to all cultivators of fruit trees: 

 Take a quart of alcohol and dissolve in it as much gum shellac 

 as will make a liquid of the consistence of paint. Apply this 

 to the wound with a common painter's brush, always paring 

 the wound smoothly first. The liquid becomes perfectly bard, 

 adheres closely, excludes the air perfectly, and is affected 

 by no changes of weather; while at the same time its thin- 

 ness offers no resistance to the lip of the new bark that closes 

 over the wound. If the composition is kept in a well-corked 

 bottle, sufficiently wide to admit the brush, it will always be 

 ready for use, and suited to the want of the moment. — Down- 

 ing 's Encyclopedia. 



—It is said that the French Government is about to take 

 measures for the irrigation of the broad and fertile valley of 

 the Rhone by means of the waters of that river. While 

 there has not been recently any serious damage to crops in tliis 

 region through drought, it cannot be doubted that the pro- 

 posed step is a wise one, and- will be productive of immense 

 benefit to a large tract of country. 



A Simple Oenament. — A pretty mantel-piece ornament 

 may be obtained by suspending an acorn by a piece of thread 

 tied around it, within half an inch of the surface of some 

 water contained in a vase, tumbler, or saucer, and allowing it 

 to remain undisturbed for several weeks. It will soon burst 

 open, and small roots will seek the water ; a straight and 

 tapering stem, with beautiful glossy green leaves will shoot 

 upward, and presents a very pleasing appearance. Chestnut 

 trees may be grown in the same manner, but thei r leaves are 

 not as beautiful as those of the oak. The water should be 

 changed once a month, taking care to supply water of the same 

 ■warmth ; bits of charcoal added to it will prevent the water 

 from souring. If the little leaves turn yellow, add one drop 

 of ammonia into the utensil which holds the water, and they 

 will renew their luxuriance. 



—The manufacturers of Peerless Fine Cut present every customer 

 of a ten-pound pail with a splendid seven shooter. As traiapB are get- 

 ting so bold now-a-days, this seems to be an opportunity to pvocure 

 means of defence, and getting one'e tobacco at, the usual coBt. 



To Cokbespondbnts.— Those desiring us to prescribe for their dogs 

 wisi please take note of and describe the following points in each ani- 

 mal: 



1. Age. 2. Food and medicine given. 3. Appearance of the eye ; 

 of the coat ; of the tongue and lips. 4. Any changes in the appearance 

 of the body, as bloating, drawing in of the flanks, etc. 5. Breathing, 

 the number of respirations per minute, and whether labored or not. 

 6. Condition of the bowels and secretions of the kidneys, color, etc. 7. 

 Appetite; regular, variable, etc. S. Temperature of the body as indl 

 cated by the bulb of the thermometer when placed between the body 

 and the foreleg. 9. Give position of kennel and surronndingB, outlook, 

 contiguity to other buildings, and the uses of the latter. AIbo give any 

 peculiarities of temperament, movements, etc., that may be noticed 

 signs of suffering, etc. 



The St. Lotus Bench Show.— Everything points in the 

 direction of an kutnense success for the St. Louis show. As 

 we go to press we have received the following despatch from 

 J. W. Munson, Esq., the secretary: " Thanking friends for 

 their liberality, we must decline any more donations. Our 

 specials already amount to nearly three thousand dollars, and 

 we really have no places for more." Some of the gifts pre- 

 sented to the show iu-e of the finest character. Mr. W. \Y. 

 Greener, through the Simmons Hardware Co. of St. Louis, 

 has just sent as a prize a superb forty-guineas gun, made in 

 his very best style. That would be a gun to win. Mr. T.H. 

 Scott has sent ±10 sterling as a prize for the best setter, any 

 age or strain, bred in America. This gentleman promises to 

 be present at the show. Mr. Snellenberg, of New Brighton, 

 Pa., gives a $40 velvet shooting suit.for the best pair of pure 

 Laveracks. Tiffany & Co. have presented a silver vase, val- 

 ued at $75 for the best setter, and Messrs. W. Read & Sons, 

 of Boston, a Scott double express rifle. 



Entry blanks of the St. Louis Bench Show may be had at 

 our office which we will mail to applicants. Particular atten- 

 tion has beeu paid to the stalls lor the dogs, which will be 

 built in sections of five. In the centre of the rink a large 

 space will be reserved for moving the dogs, and tor the use of 

 the judges. Many of the leading New York houses dealing 

 in sportsmen's goods will have exhibits. The headquarters of 

 the show will be at the Lindell House. We would call atten- 

 tion to the following: The A. «S G. W. R. R. will give half 

 fares to exhibitors from Salamanca or any other point on the 

 line, to St. Louis and back, with passes for dogs. .Every rail- 

 road entering St. Louis gives half fare, and the express com- 

 panies half rates. If energy and perseverance make this 



