i«5 
as to produce what is at best a crude resemblance to the "Osprey" 
plume. Probably the majority of these are made of what aVe 
known in the trade as "Vultures' " feathers, which are really the 
"flight'' feathers of the Rhea or South American Ostrich. " The 
method of preparing them is interesting. The shaft is split down 
the center, so that one-half of the "vane" of the feather adheres 
to each half of the stem. By spirally twisting this stem the barbs 
forming the right or left side of the "vane" of the feather are 
made to form a series of long, slender filaments spirally arranged 
around a central shaft. The effect produced is really quite dif- 
ferent from that of the "Osprey," but the feathers are no more 
imitation or artificial feathers than are those of the Egret plume. 
Moreover, the sale of such aigrettes is scarcely less to be deplored 
than the sale of "Ospreys," since the Rhea is a bird of the 
utmost scientific interest and importance, and its extinction in a 
wild state seems to be rapidly approaching. Annually slain by 
thousands for the sake of its feathers, it has already been extir- 
pated in much of the country it formerly inhabited. It is not 
farmed for its feathers, as is the true Ostrich. 
An equally crude imitation of the real "Osprey" is made by 
treating Peacocks' feathers in the same may as that just described 
in the case of the Rhea. The statements that imitation or artificial 
"Ospreys" are made of split quills, whalebone, or other material, 
are all absolutely false. 
In the final summing up by the historian of another age, of the 
people of today, its utter disregard of the rights of posterity 10 
receive unimpaired the resources of nature, will stand as one of 
the severest strictures upon present-day civilization. 
THE ALFOOS MANGO. 
The London Times of June 19 last contained a note on the 
excellent qualities of the East Indian mango known as the 
'Alfoos' or 'Alphonso.' This variety is stated to be so popular 
in Bombay that the fruits command a price of from eight to 
twelve cents each in the open market. Attempts made to get 
this mango upon the. English market in quantity have so far 
failed, owing to the decay of the fruit during shipment. Dur- 
ing recent years grafts of the Alfoos mango have been imported 
into Florida, and the fruit growers of that State are reported to 
have given close attention to its cultivation, since it is recognized 
that on account of its high quality it would command the best 
prices. Producers claim that in a short time they will be able 
to export the fruit in quantity to the London market, and this 
may be possible, in view of the shorter voyage entailed as com- 
pared with that from Bombay. 
