12 
THE SCIENTIST. 
An Exchange says that the sotig birds 
brought from Germany and turned loose in 
Oregon last year, have prospered and now a 
large number of insectiverous song birds 
will be imported. It will not be long before 
the various publishers of standard Ornitho- 
logical works will have to issue new editions. 
Cellulose in wood, (the primitive mem- 
brane, free from all deposits of sediment 
or other matter) is said to be composed of 
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, 6 parts of the 
first to lo parts of the second and 5 of the 
third, having the same formula as starch 
and sugar and can be converted into various 
edibles both wholesome and savory. 
The statement is made that the seat of the 
conscience has been located in the veriform 
appendix or blind intestine and a series of 
experiments point very closely in that 
direction. A post-mortem examination on 
bodies of murderers show the blind sac to 
be wanting in every case, but a more conclu- 
sive fact is given in the case of a practitoner 
noted for his conscientiousness who sub- 
mitted to an operation for the removal of the 
sac; on his recovery he committed a murder. 
Mr. Thos. a. Shaw, the well known 
Biblophile of this city, is constantly adding 
to his stock of rare books and curio. The 
latest addition, is an unique sailor's dagger 
with handle and socket made from the tusk 
of a Walrus, tipped with ebony. On the blade 
is engraved the figure of a sea monster, on 
the handle is the figure of a Walrus, also a 
design intended to convey the idea of a 
mountain in Japan and leaves of plants and 
alligators. A very blood curdling looking 
weapon at short range, in the hands of a 
piratical Japanese. 
Some time during the seventies, the 
writer remembers an advertisement 
in that excellent weekly, Forest and 
Stream, by "Hurst & Sons, 11 and 13 
Elm street, Albany, N. Y., "of Photographs, 
in Stereoscopic slide form, of groups of stuff- 
ed birds and animals prepared by Mr. Hurst 
and on exhibition at the companies free 
museum at the above numbers. Samples 
were ordered. On their arrival a moi"e 
delighted family could not well be imagined. 
Eventually, as the Jollars could be spared, a 
dozen at a time were ordered, until the series 
was compleated. For safety and con- 
venience we mounted the slides in an nd- 
justible stereoscope made to order, having a 
capacity of 400 views. They have proven 
a source of endless enjoyment and instruction 
to ourselves and friends ever shice. 
Some years ago we learned of the sudden 
death of the sons, who were soon followed 
by their grief stricken father. This caused 
the closing and eventual breaking up of the 
museum. The copy-right of the views was 
sold to a photographer in New Hampshire, 
and Mrs. Hurst informed us that the last 
complete coloi-ed set was sold through our 
efforts, to Prof. Dyche, of the Kansas State 
University. Our attention was again called 
to the matter by receiving from Mrs. tlurst 
of No. II Main street, Albany, N. Y., 
several dozen of these really excellent 
photographs. The animals are accurately 
colored as in life, grouped with such 
surroundings as their instinct, if alive, would 
select. On the back of each view is printed 
the class, order, family, genera and species 
with the common and local name, and a 
complete description of the subject and its 
natural history. 
Picking up a view at random, from those 
just received, the first one shows a pair of 
Mallards, and, quietly resting on the 
gravelly shore of a small lake. So accurate 
is the taxidermal woik that they don't look 
like stuffed ducks at all. Their coloring de- 
fies criticism and their reflections in the lake 
which in this instance was living water 
helps to complete the deception. The 
second view is of our common Screech Owl, 
perched on and around an old hollow stump. 
Both plumages are shown. One specimen 
is just leaving the down, while another is 
evidently just alighting on the stump. The 
one with a mouse in his claws would un- 
doubtedly soon enjoy a good meal, were 
he only alive. There are five specimens in 
all shown in this view. The complete set 
illustrates forty-five species of birds, sixteen 
species of animals and twelve comic groups 
of monkeys and other quadrupeds. 
Mrs. Hurst has many duplicates of these 
views, a list of which she will supply on 
application. We presume they may still be 
had at 25 cents each, though many of them 
are really worth more money. 
John Critchfled of Graham, Mo., near 
Maryville, caught an exhausted eagle the 
other day that measured seven feec four 
inches from tip to tip. The bird has com- 
pletely recovered and eats more than a 
Newfoundland dog. 
