Mat 33, 1897.1 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
408 
power of effecting voluntary movements apparently as 
spontaneous and independent as those performed by the 
lower animals, the movement being brought about by means 
of little vibrating cilia, or hairs, with which a part or tlie 
whole of the surface is furnished. "When it is added that 
many animals are permanently rooted, in their fully grown 
condition, to solid objects, it will at once be apparent that 
no absolute distinction can be made between animals and 
plants merely because of the presence or absence of inde- 
pendent locomotive power. " 
The author continues at some length in the first chapter to 
show the common life properties of plants and animals, thus 
concisely presenting the groundwork of his theme. The 
chapters following teem with most useful and interesting in- 
formation on the habits of plants and animals, showing in- 
finite research and the most painstaking care in its presenta- 
tion. The animal and vegetable life in its commonplace 
forms, as seen by the ordinary person, is shown to be vague 
and fragmentary. To slime, so often seen in puddles and 
gutters, and which is by most people considered as being 
anything but living matter, he attributes intelligence. He 
says: "JS^othing can be less animal liiie than one of these 
shapeless pieces of pure protoplasm, yet under a microscope 
of strong power it may be seen moving lazily along by pull- 
ing out a thick finger of slime and then letting all the rest of 
its body flow after it. When coming into contact with food 
it may be said to flow over it, dissolving the soft parts and 
sending out the hard, indigestible refuse anywhere, no mat- 
ter where, for its body is devoid of skin, being merely one 
general mass of homogeneous slime. * * * And yet by 
means of the wonderful gift of life with which the all-wise 
omnipotence has endowed it, this slime-drop lives, and 
breathes, and eats, and increases, shrinks away when you 
touch it, feels for its food, and moves from place to place, 
changing its shape to form limbs and feeling threads, which 
are let into the general organism when they have served the 
purpose of their existing, only to be succeeded by others as 
short-lived as themselves when necessity requires their de- 
velopment * * * Minute jelly plants that live in the 
water and even higher animals than itself constitute iis 
food. The presence of an animal with a shell does not deter 
it fiom attack, for it is just as able to deal with it as with the 
softer, shell Ute kinds, sucking their jelly like contents and 
discarding the empty, innutritious shells." 
The intelligence and habits of life of the common earth- 
worm are most interestingly described. No less interesting 
are the chapters on Plants that Feed on Insects, Primitive 
Lasso-throwers, Five-Fingered Jack on the Oyster, Fiddler 
and Hermit Crabs, Funnel-Web Builder, Book Lovers You- 
ee-up, or Ant lion, Tower Building Cicada, Honey-dew 
Milch Cows of the Ants, Living Artillery, Bright and 
Stiining Ones (beetles), Luna Moths, Basket Carriers, Honey- 
Producing Citerpillars, Hibernating Butterflies, Leaf- Cutter 
Bee, Ants' Battles, Nest-Building Fishes, Eels, Kana and 
Bufo, Snakes, House Bearing Reptiles, Summer Duck, 
Woodcock, Piping Plover, Bob White, Ruffed Grouse, Dol 
mestic Turkeys, American Osprey, Turkey Buzzard, Curi- 
ous Nests, Squirrel, Canine Sagacity, Feline Intelligence, 
Monkeys, in treating all of Tvhich the author contents' him'- 
self with describing their wonderful methods in securing 
food, protecting themselves from enumies, caring for their 
young and preserving their existence. These subjects oc- 
cupy by far the greater part of the work, but admirably 
serve the author's purpose, which is more fully set forth in 
the closing chapters, tie first of which, "Untutored Man," 
describes the animal hfe, inferior physique and dull intelii- 
gencc of the native Australian, concerning whom he sums 
up in this wise: "By competent critics the Australian is pro- 
nounced to be the most degraded of human beings, and the 
lowest type of man. In reason, love, generosity con 
science and mere responsibility he is the inferior of many of 
the lower animals, and in the erection of a house for com- 
fort, shelter and security he is surpassed by creatures even 
as low in the scale as the worms and insects. It is true, 
when hunger has to be met, that he has shown some skill in 
the manufacture of implements necessary to the obtainment 
of food, and also in resisting the attacks of his own kind and 
of the natural enemies by which he is surrounded. There is 
no doubt that he is well satisfied with his condition in life, 
and could hardly be induced to exchange it for another." 
The next chapter, "Living Souls," is treated mostly 
from a Scriptural standpoint, and as plants breathe and 
therefore have the breath of life, he concludes that 
"It will be obvious that plants are living, breataing frames, 
or bodies of life, and hence are as much entitled to be conl 
sidercd as living souls as animals are. The 'consciousness of 
plants' is shown by the manner in which their tendrils seek 
or avoid light, and the manner in which they grasp and curl 
quickly around an object and cling to it, a similar trait being 
observed in climbing plants; also the manner in which the 
roots avoid obstacles in the soil and quickly follow the lines 
of least resistance, and in taking advantage of moisture and 
better soil, and the effects of light and gravitation, the sen- 
sitiveness of certain leaves, which will fold about insects or 
bits of meat and digest them, while mineral substances placed 
on the leaves have no effect upon them. The migratory 
habits of other plants, the changed manner of plants at ni^ht 
in the rain or in the light," etc., which the author sums'^up 
as follows: "Concluding, then, let me aver that no plant 
can exist or fulfill its allotted part in the drama of life, with- 
out the possession of some form or degree of consciousness." 
Of "iMind in Animals," the author to prove his position, 
cites numerous intelligent acts performed by domestic and 
wild animals. He further shows that they have many of 
the emotions— jealousy, pride, anger, revenge, shame, etc, 
and the moral responsibility common to mankind. He cites 
the work of Rev. J. G. Wood, entitled "Man and Beast 
Here and Hereafter," in support of the moral responsibility 
of animals. The chapter on "Life Progressive" treats of 
evolutionary processes, while that on the "Survival of the 
Fittest" follows closely on the lines of Darwin "Man's 
Pre-eminence'" is treated as being from misapprehension of 
the fact', and the chapttr on "Future Life" maintains that 
there is nothing in the Scriptures prohibiting immortality to 
ail life. However much the reader may agree or disagree in 
respect to the author's conclusions, a perusal of the work 
will bring knowledge gathered from a vast and varied field. 
More Hummingbird Phantasies. 
Edi tor Forest a nd Stream: 
One of your hrother editors explained to me why so many 
funny little Mi'inchauseuisms got into print. He says many 
women and young girls make a little pin-money by writiniy 
fcr the papers, and when they think of a subject they go to 
■work with ihe intention of making it interesting, and if they 
cannot dp it by fair means they do not hesitate to do it by 
sacrificing truth. As a sample of such inventive stuff, T in- 
close a clippina: from ths Sin Francisco GJironide ("not nec- 
essarily for publication") that would make a commonplace 
liar like Ananias hide his diminished head, I have lived and 
studied many weary years, but if there is any truth in this 
report I have a great deal to learn about the ways and means 
of even my special pets, the hummingbirds. This author 
says: "When the steamer Walla walla was fifteen miles off 
Cape Mendocino, on her way to this port, at least 350 gor- 
geously plumed hummingbirds flocked out of the skies upon 
the headgear of female passengers * * * The hirds 
were hungry, and many of them bored into the multi-colored 
millinery, etc. * * * Crumbs and pans of water were 
set out, and the birds ate until stuffed so that they rolled 
over." Rolled over is good, and so are crumbs and pans of 
water, but if they had thought of mutton chops so many of 
them need not have died of exhaustion so soon after reach- 
ing the ship." 
There's nothing like mutton chops when a humminghird 
is hungry. Moreover, "there were some odd incidents con- 
nected with the peculiar flight of the beautiful birds. W. 
S, McFarland, of Oakland, was promenading the deck with 
a lady when the birds struck the ship. One flew against his 
ear and stuck there. (Query— Did he have wax on his ear?) 
Frightened at the blow of the bird, Mr. McFarland ran into 
the cabin in great excitement. (Query— What became of 
the lady?) Third mate Hogan had a similar experience. 
One of the birds flew into his ear and another in his mous- 
tache, and so scared Hogan that he thought he was be- 
witched." Now, if the Greeks would send for these heroes 
and place them in the Pass of ThermopyJge, the Turks could 
never get to Athens. Didymus. 
St Augustine, 
The Bobolinks in Florida. 
Tnterlachen, Pla., May 10.— Since about March 1 several 
flocks of rice birds have "camped" around here, flitting, cir- 
cling and lighting, seemingly too uneasy to eat. Their color 
has Changed perceptibly week by week, but they are not 
half plumaged yet. 
Their note at first, and until last week, was a mild, dimin- 
utive croak; last Thursday I heard what I had been listening 
for: the halting, stuttering attempt at the song of the bobo- 
link—just as if they never had sung it before, and pretty 
badly mixed up with the mild croaks Every spring I 
watch for those birds and listen for the return of their 
"voice." This spring they came here two weeks earlier 
than last and have just left (about ten days later). When I 
hear even those few stumbling notes. I can hear the mowing 
machine, can see the "sulky-raking," and the quiver of the 
hoi air; smell the new mown hay and taste that old-fash- 
ioned beverage, molasses and water and ginger, that used to 
be drunk on the sly by us boys. Captain. 
Gray Squirrels Breed in Captivity. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
I have six full-grown gray squirrels that I am very fond of. 
One of them has four young ones, and I think I shall have 
two mora litters soon I got my squirrels when they were 
young and brought them up on mils, and they will eat out 
of my hand, take a nut out of my pocket, and climb all over 
m . 
I have for a pen my father's box stall, which I have strung 
with ropes for them to chase each other on, and outside 
1 have a nice wired cage, about 10x15ft. and about 5ft. 
high. 
1 feed them on cow's milk, corn, nuts, fresh boughs, and 
such other things as they have in their freedom. 
These squirrels are the prettiest pets I ever had, and I think 
they are full as nice as a pair of tame crowa that I had last 
summer, though I thought the ciows were pretty nice at the 
time The neighbors all hated the crows, and somebody shot 
them ; but everybody likes squirrels 
Luther W. Fattlkner. 
The Ruffed Grouse and Music. 
The ruffed grouse is fond of music, I have long been 
familiar with this ]jeculiarily of the bird In central New 
York near where I lived was a beautiful piece of woods, and 
I was walking in them one Sunday in October, with my 
wife, when my spaniel flushed a grouse and it lit in a hem- 
lock tree right over the cart road^ I asked my wife if she 
wanted to see a live partridge, and commenced to whistle a 
lively tune, and the bird sat and let us pass in undler the tree 
and turn and come ba.ck, and sat there until we were out of 
sight. Another time my three boys were coming from 
school when they saw a partridge in an apple tree, and the 
eldest boy left the two youngest to whistle whi'e he went for 
the gun and shot the bird. Old Way-Back. 
nnie ^ng md ^mu 
Virginia shore birds. 
Keller, Va.. May 13.— Atlantic coast birds continue very 
plentiful, and are affording toe best of sport to good marks- 
men. If the gun is not held right, there is no great sport in 
shooting anyhow. 
Dr J. C. "French left for his home to-day, and reported 
never to have found better sport, especially on curlew. 
When about to leave he drew from his pocket two shells! 
remarking: "This is all I have left out of .$30 worth. Don't 
you think it time I had gone? The Doctor is a fine shot, and 
for the present it may be said that his love of the gun has 
been amply gratified. 
Arrivals for the week have been in part: Messrs. Edward 
Thompson and Elward Pigeon, with Mrs. Pigeon, of Long 
Island, members of the Ravels Island Club, and Messrs. U. 
M. Spratley and G. W. .Jacobas, members of the Accomac 
Club. Hon. W K. Shiras returned to-day, reporting having 
a very pleasant trip and finding fairly good shooting. It 
may be said of the members of the Revels Island and Acco- 
mac clubs, that their purpose in coming to our shore, for 
recreation and amusement, is not a selfish one; but, on the 
contrai-y, it seems that they rather on every occasion strive 
to become useful by their liberaUty to our less fortunate citi- 
zens. It is said that the two clubs collectively represent 
millions upon millions of wealth. Such people are a blessing 
to any community they may enter, 
Mr. N. I. W. LeCato, with a party of gentlemen, is ex- 
pected to-morrow. They will be the guests of L. T. LeCato, 
Esq., residing in Upshjre's Neck, a section rich in the best of 
sport. 
Hon. W. Finley Browne, with a party of friends, is ex- 
pected during the week. Mr. Browne well understands the 
demsinds of a first-class outing, and not only does he enjoy 
the fun himself, but delights in makinsr all things agreeable 
for others We have understood that Mr. B. has in contem- 
plation the purchase of a sea coast site for a club building, 
which, if consummated, will have erected a palatial edi- 
fice. 
Birds will be plenty untilJune 10; in fact, fairly good 
shooting may be had during all summer, while fish are very 
plentiful. T. G. Elliott. 
THE MISSISSIPPI FLOODS. 
YiCESBtTRG, Miss.— The overflow has been very destruc- 
tive to game. Thousands of square miles of wild lands in 
Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi are deeply submerged. 
It will be a long time before the game will be replenished. I 
believe it never will altogether. The "advancement of civ- 
ilization" is an aid to the overflow. Year after year the 
gobblers are fewer and wilder, and the sportsman must go 
further and work harder to be successful. He must be eon- 
t ^nt with less of game, and more of a quiet paddle through 
the streams or a tramp through the timber. 
All this is of small consideration in comparison with the 
loss to agriculture. Cultivatable lands are also under water, 
and farming stock of all kinds has suffered. 
The fish, however, flourish. The lakes all over the delta 
country will be restocked, and good fishing can be had after 
the water subsides. The lakes had been fished out, and fish- 
ermen will enjoy the sport to be had." W. L, P 
Memphis Tenn.— I send you a clipping from one of our 
Mempois papers about the deer: 
"Reports from Issaquena county, near Duncansby, say a 
herd of some 300 deer have taken refuge on the levee, and 
the planters are feeding and caring for them as tenderly as 
they mind their domestic animals and plantation stock. 
S^ven other deer were rescued from drowning near this 
place and housed in a gin loft." 
I know that many a good sportsman is wondering what 
will become of the game of the Mississippi bottoms'; and I 
am glad to hear that in numbers of cases deer are bf ing pro- 
tected by kind-heurted men. Where they are needed for 
food of course they are being killed. Many more are starv- 
ing and drowning than are b?ing killed. 
A. B. WiNQFIBLD. 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST. 
Bighorns In Colorado. 
CHiCAao, 111., May 1 —The Denver Republican says that 
at Jefferson, eighty miles southwest of Denver, Colo., a 
band of fifty mountain shepp have been seen near town a 
number of times recently. They are supposed to have been 
driven down from the high mountains by the heavy snows. 
There has not been a sheep seen in that locality for a lono' 
tinae, but these animals come often almost into the edge oi 
town. Mountain sheep are absolutely protected in Colorado. 
"The 'Forest and Stream' Luck." 
A few weeks ago, when I was in Minneapolis, Mr. Oar- 
rington Phelps and myself, while walking at a short distance 
from his residence, saw a big, fine-looking orange and white 
setter in a door-yard not far away. I liked the looks of the 
dog, and at once told Mr. Phelps that it resembled very 
strongly the old dog Rex which my father used to own, and 
which was always my idea of what a meat dog should be. 
"And I will bet a hat that this dog here is a good dog, too " 
said I to Mr. Phelps, being willing to play the dog on form 
in the language of the turf. W« thought but little more of 
the matter, but just now I have a letter from Mr. Phelps in 
which he says : ' 
"You remember the dog we admired from the bridge ai* 
belonging in your special class of 'meat dogs,' and as resem-. 
bling your old favorite? Well, I find him in charge of an 
I. O. 0. F. friend of mine who has more, and who has 
offered me the loan of him for the trip of Aug, 25, next. 
And so the invisible, incomprehensible Forest and Streasi 
luck comes up again, as he was the property of a young man 
who lived in Dakota, very fond of a good dog and hunting, 
who unfortunately died, and whose superbly broken do°g 
was sent here to his mother. She could not kec'p him, 
and turned him over to my friend. He had a great reputal 
tion in Dakota. I inveigled my friend into repealing his 
offer, and accepted it hard. So I don't see but we will have 
to make that trip." 
I don't know about making the trip, but will venture that 
if we do that old yellow and white dog will be a corker, and 
we will kill a lot of birds over him; nor would it astonish 
me in the least if we should find a diamond or two in their 
gizzards. E Hough. 
U08 UoYCE BuiLOiNG, Chicago, 
Rhode Island Association. 
Providence, R. I., May Editor Forest and Si/)xam: 
The Rhode Island Fish and Game Association will soon^ it 
is rumored, consider the advisability of establishing in this 
city a controlling board. The step will necessitate a com- 
plete reorganization of the Association, which will not prob- 
ably occur until after the revision of the game laws now 
before a committee of the Senate for the elimination of 
crudeness. The draft has already been presented in one 
branch of the Legislature, but was found to Ibe somewhat 
faulty in construction, and was in consequence sent back to 
the committee. The scheme is to have the control of the 
Association in this citv. For this purpose a convention of 
delegates from the various branches in different parts of the 
State may be held, and a board appointed, with headquar- 
ters in Providence, whence all orders and business of State 
importance shall be issued and transacted. There has been 
considerable fault finding by the country branches, owing to 
what they term insulflcient authority or protection. Some 
of these have considered the adv sability of going ahead and 
caring for their own sections, such as the Pawtuxet Valley 
Gun Club and others. By centralizing the control, different 
districts could be established, each association to look out for 
a certain territory, all to report to the general office in this 
city. The ability to go ahead would rest in each after in- 
structions from the local headquarters. Expense would be 
saved and better results obtained generally. The new laws 
contemplate the bestowing of a power upon the game warden 
to make arrests anywhere in the Stale without warrant from 
the authorities of the town in which the offense against the 
game laws occur, W H M 
