FOREST AND STREAM 
41 
character. He cut u lemon in Iwo halves, placed upon 
each hid# the spittle of n dog, and then put both pieces in* 
the cellar until they were covered with fungus. He then 
examined this fungus with a microscope nnd fouud it alive 
with fierce little animals that devoured each other like so 
many cannibals. Pleased with his discovery, he treated 
another lemon in the same wuy, except that he put upou it 
• the spittle of a horse. An examination proved that this 
latter fungoid growth wus purely vegetable, and that not 
even the least vestige of animal life wus seen upon it. lake 
these facts and what do they reveal? A sturlling disclo- 
sure— one which scatters like chaff before the wind the ab- 
surd theories of Darwin. 
These facts discovered by the patient research of Andrew 
Murray, Esq-, prove that herbivorous animals cannot pro- 
duce fungoid growths swarming with cannibalistic animal- 
cules, and that carnivorous animals can. Carry the argu- 
ment’ further, and what does it express? This, that as the 
latter class of the brute creation live on meat, that their re- 
mains, or extracts of their living bodies produce animal 
life, whereas that the former, which thrive on grass and 
oats and kindred matter, produce only vegetation. Does 
not this prove that nature made her laws from the first, and 
that they are immutable; and, therefore, that this Darwin- 
ian theory of an oyster developing into a man is au ab- 
surdity so ludicrous as to merit only our laughter? 
True, the converse also may hold good, judgiug from the 
lemon, that vegetable will produce animal life, provided it 
is covered with some product of an animal. Hut in this 
case it is the latter product which grows, and not the ex- 
tract of lemon, os that can be used only to feed the 
nnimnlcules. This extract of lemon has been recommended 
to sick people, but then animalcules may require it as much 
as tlie human family. We could carry on this argument 
indefinitely, and prove many remarkable facts from it, but 
ns our intention wus merely to call attention to the great 
discovery of Mr. Murray, we forego any more analyses at 
present, but wo may bo able to take it up at an early 
day, when further facts have been gleaned, and prove by 
it that we require a new theory of the creatiou besides that 
of the scriptures or of Darwin ! 
Why would it not simplify the whole matter by saying 
that dog spittle was placed on half a lemon at the time of 
the creation, that this begat animalcules, that animalcules 
raised Cain, that Cain went to a farmer’s garden nud stole 
apples, und that he was caught nnd transported to Chicago 
where men were developed in all their glory and greatness, 
until they became the lords of the earth, and the wildest 
speculators in the world — in wild cat? 
OUR WESTERN GAME COUNTRY. 
O NE effect of the discussion that has been evoked by the 
announcement of the “Big Hunt,” through the West- 
ern country, has been to elicit some general information 
as respects the vast territory that lies between the two fron- 
tiers of our civilization, that is altogether new to most of 
our renders. The conditions of that section and our East 
are so wholly dissimilar, and the distances out there and 
the universal scope so illimitable, compared to ours, that 
our sportsmen here can base no correct judgment upon 
general premises. Biessed with nn experience of our own 
(confined to a three months trip to the “Divide,) that ante- 
dates by fifteen years the epoch of trans continental rail- 
roads. when the fastest express was old Bill Bent’s “cow- 
train,” we have been conscious that those who opposed 
McCarty’s enterprise had struck the wrong trail; neverthe- 
less we wished to leave the questiou open to whatever ob- 
jections might arise, so that no one should be unpleasantly 
compromised in the matter, ourselves indued. 
Quite possibly this subject has become trite in the esti- 
mation of many; yet, if in our seomingly too frequent allu- 
sions thereto, we can interpolate facts that edify, and im- 
part information that will be serviceable, our most sagacious 
readers will not take exceptions thereto, but be glad of the 
opportunity to learn. With this preamble, we offer here- 
with some testimony', vouchsafed by an old Western 
surveyor and mountain man, well known throughout the 
West and u large portion of the East, the truth of which 
connot be gainsaid 
Gainesville, Cooke county, Texas, February 11, 1875. 
Editok Forest axd Stream:— 
As you ask vvhot 1 lUtnk of the Bi" Hunt, I will state: First— There 
Is a mistaken Ideu nuiong the sportsmen of your vicinity in re- 
gard to "slaughtering game. " My observation has been that the slaugh- 
tering opt ration is on u small scale. On an extended trip of live weeks, 
during last April and May, into the gurau region of Ibis State, I found 
tho game (even buffalo) aUonlihinghj wary, nnd it required the greatest 
caution io surprise them. My idea bud been that l would have no 
trouble slaughtering antelope, deer, und buffalo, but 1 found tho deer 
two hundred miles west of this, apparently wilder limn In the setllo- 
meuts. Ami antelope— Pshaw! They were alwoys os the highest 
ground, and “heads up." lu five weeks I killed ons buffalo, and If any 
one of our company of eighteen mou 'to the manor born" killed more 
than one I nm not aware of it. Th s was in the vicinity of the junction 
of tbe Donble Mountain Fork of Brazos River, with Bolt Fork (which Is 
the main Brazos) of the Brazos River— the same locality spoken of in 
the programme of the Big llunt. There were tens of tuousands of 
buffalo to hrf seen, and the young calves would sometimes follow our 
horses into caiup; but tbe old ones ran off at long range. We could have 
cha*ed them down on our horses, hat after a few chases It was plainly 
visible that if we did not slop it, we would have to walk back to the 
settlements, and the thoughts of such a trump, with perhaps a band of 
prowling Comancbes harru-stng our rear, soon cuded the chase. 
Second— Afier the first few days of excitement and buffalo beef, tbe 
sportsman wears off the wire edge, and is content with just enough to 
eat, and Ms eye wanders over tho “vast expanse" until It becomes 
weary with wondering what is beyond, nnd he seek* his mess to crock 
Joke*, "replenish Ills larder," and recount the morning ramble 
Third— 1 think that those who oppose the expedition are hardly aware 
what an extent of unexplored territory lies between here and Colorado. 
I think there is not another such a scope of country In the United 
Slates, or pcrhnp* North America, for scientific research and Investiga- 
tion. On all sides of this territory that have been developed, (he “pre- 
cious nictnla" have been found to pay a greater or less per cent One 
man hoots nt the Idea of finding new nice* of men. I would Just like 
for him to produce his authority to show that they may not bo there. I 
tell you, sir, the expedition, lualcad of being scoffed at. should bo com 
pllmcntcd and assisted for making such a sacrifice. It requires men of 
nerve and Indomitable energy to pnsh Into such a field of danger There 
may be giants In (he land; but let us go over and possess It. They would 
not hnve tho assurance that Joshua had on entering the land of Canaan, 
“that their heart (tho Inhabitants of that coantry) melted, neither was 
thoro spirit In them any more.” 
Fourth— 1 do not know what Providence filled that country with buf- 
falo for, unless It was for men to subsist upon m passing through It. as 
It Is certainly more convenient than hnnlingtn wngons for hundreds of 
miles. 1 think our Slate would furnish on oecort of rangurs to such nn 
expedition, If they nenrod any. I hnvo scarcely seen any of onr citi- 
zens but wbat favored tho Big Runt, and It docs seem to me that If «m 
can stand If, the sportsmen on the east side of tho Mississippi ought not 
to grumble. G. II. H. 
This event appears to he attracting considerable nltcullon 
abroad, and our sporling contemporaries on tho oilier side 
of tho water all contain notices of it. I)cr Wtidmann of 
Lelpsic in its issue of February 1st mentions that large 
• numbers of sportsmen have Joined the parly and are wait 
iug to sail, it also gives a detailed description of the pur- 
poses and objects of tho expedition, and describes its object 
to be the shooting of every kind of game from the lordly 
buffalo to the sportive jack-rabbit. The caravan Ih also 
described os consisting of Comanche Indians, trappers, 
hunters nnd English mi-lords, as well as a hand to soothe 
the tired frames of the, sportsmen to repose. While wish- 
ing the expedition every success, it is not sanguine that it 
will so result. 
THE IRISH RIFLE ASSOCIATION. 
W E have this week an account of the meeting held at 
Dublin to receive the report of tho intcruatiouul 
rifle match, und the speech of Major Leech upon the occa- 
sion. His kind expressions of regard for Americans, and 
hearty appreciation of the efforts made for the entertain- 
ment of himself and friends is very pleasant to rend, nnd 
bespeaks a most cordial reception for our “Team” when 
they visit, in June i4K(, the green shores of the Emerald 
Isle. The proposed invitation to the captains of the Eng- 
lish and Scotch teams to send a representative to Dublin 
on the occasion of tbe international match is a graceful 
compliment, nnd the opening of the All Ireland Challenge 
Shield, which has hitherto been competed for only by 
members of Irish rifle clubs, a still greater expression of 
good feeling. 
The gallant Major also hoped that the English authori- 
ties would invito tbe Americans to Wimbledon to compete 
for the E’cho Shield; and, should time permit, the crack 
of a “Remington" or a “Sharp" may yet be heard nt the 
headquarters of match shooting in the old world. The in- 
vitation of Major Leech to our men to be bis guests while 
on Irish .soil is characteristic of bis warm hearted country- 
men, and the suggestion that the final mat cl* be shot at 
Philadelphia during the Summer of 1870 promises to add 
one more to the many attractions of the centennial. 
CABLE IRON TESTS. 
T HE experiments of Commander Beardslee, regarding 
the testing of iron as to its strength und durability, 
have not only proved of value to our own Navy depart- 
ment, but are attracting the attention of those interested in 
the subject across the water. In the course of his experi- 
ments Commander Beardslee has discovered that by a pro- 
cess of his own, by combining scrap iron, old boiler plate 
and other comparatively worthless material, lie lias been 
able to produce iron of the very host description. He has 
succeeded also in improving the quality of inferior iron 
and reducing various qualities to a uniform strength. He 
lias invented several useful experiments for testing the 
strength of iron, particularly chain cables, as in the cable 
tho greatest and most uniform strength is required. In 
commenting upou this important subject the Washington 
Republican says: — 
The standard adopted throughout tho world us the 
strength of chain cables is the so-called British Admiralty 
breaking strain, being a steady, uniform strain in the direc- 
tion of the fibres of the metal. This test is found to be 
defective. Experience proves that an iron that will stand 
this severe strain without breaking— when subjected to mid 
den shocks, breaks readily. It is also shown by experience 
that it is these sudden shocks, such as that produced in 
paying out and hauling in cables, and tho pitching of the 
vessels when at anchor, and the shaking of bridges of iron, 
und especially the shock to guns in the repeated discharges, 
which breaks it. Commodore Bcardslec’s experiments are 
directed more especially to tho producing u quality of iron 
which will resist these shock tests. To accomplish this, 
he lias invented and is using a very simple and accurate 
machine. Some of the results of his experiments arc as 
follows:— 
A cable constructed of one and a half inch iron sustains 
the British Admiralty breaking strain of IBA.tKMJ pounds. 
A link made of this improved iron withstands a strain of 
1(50,000 pounds. For a cable of two inch iron the British 
Admiralty test is 257,000 pounds. A link of this iron was 
curried to a strain of 266,000 pounds, breaking the ma- 
chine, with no appurcul effect upon the inn. The experi- 
ments with the machine for tbe shock teals arc remarkable. 
This machine is something like a pile-driver, raising a 
weight of 00 pounds to a height indicated by a scale of 
feec and letting it full upon (be bur of iron. Borne of 
these tests as witnessed are as follows:— A bar of two and 
three sixteenths inches of iron, such as has been furnished 
and used under a contract for cable, broke short off with 
one five feet blow of this machine. Another bar received 
1 a|blow of three feet fall, with no sign of injury. sec- 
ond blow of three feet broke it like glass. 
This same Iran uftewgoing through this new process of 
mixing and working und subject to tho shock test was as 
follows: — A 2 inch bar stood four HD fool blows; another 
bar. same diameter, broke off ut the tlfili HI) foot blow. 
The extremes shown arc from one 5-fool blow to five HO- 
foot blows upon the same diameter of iron. This new pro- 
cess can bo made to show greater success limn this, even to 
withstanding eight or ten HO foot blows, but this quality 
would require so much labor in making as to render it too 
expensive for use. 
Tho effects of these experiments uro to produce iron 
from comparatively worthless metal of us good quality and a* 
cheap as the best; und being much stronger than ordinary 
iron, great reduction can be made in the weight of anna 
incut and other uses for which iron is applied. 
Au item of local interest ir. this connection is, Unit under 
tho operations oi Commnudcr Beardslee, nnd by his gyslom 
of employing mechanics, lie is making four fathoms of 
cable per day at each forgo, ut a cost of labor of $H tier 
fathom, whereas, under tho old system of labor, making 
two and a half fathoms per day cost $1. 80 per fathom. 
This officer asserts that if suitable appropriations bo made 
be can employ large numbers of men now out of employ- 
ment, returning to tlie Government a dollar’s worth of work 
for every dollar thus paid out, olid can manufacture cable . 
and other materials of this improved iron ul rales far be- 
low those now paid for such material, thus saving expense 
to the Government and supplying work and means ol sub- 
sistence to many families now destitute and suffering . 
Shari* Tailed O house.— Wo arc lu receipt of many 
letters from our patrons und correspondents enquiring 
where piuuutcd grouse may be obtained for breeding pur- 
poses, and if they will breed in confinement, lu reply to 
such inquiries let us say tlmt although this variety of grouse 
cun ho procured in any quantities, yet wo are fully con- 
vinced thill the sharp tailed grouse, which are to be found 
iu great ubuiidance lu Wisconsin and Minnesota, lire 
decidedly better adapted for the above purpose. Their 
habits approximate much noaror to those of the ruffed 
grouse, and consequently they would readily lake to tho 
thickets and swamps and protect themselves, where no 
have no doubt they would soon increase to such an extent 
as to afford all legitimate sliooleis excellent sport. More- 
over, for lliu table, there Is not a better bird, iu our opinion. 
Tlie habits of the pinnated grouso keep them so much ex- 
posed In the open places that they are generally shot off 
before they have time to breed. 
Gas Luiiitino by Electricity.— 1 This subject has ex- 
cited the interest of sovoral of our cot respondents, who 
have inquired whether any city wiu. lighted In tills way, 
and elicited tho aiatemcDl that a part ol Salem, Mai , was 
so lighted. We are now indebted to u Philadelphia cor- 
respondent for further Information. He writes: — 
Kimthii Forest and xtiikam: 
In your Itsuu of Jnnusry UHtk lu«i. "H i\ 8.." of Molt Haven, Inquired 
wholiisr tlwru exist any city that bus tho its* llglitml up t>y olvcii Icily, 
AcT It tuny bo tnu-n-Mlnu to your correuqioiuloiit to learn tlun alumi *iv 
month* n;{" German papers reported tlmt after iiiuiiy falluie* an appa- 
ritu* had been Invented and successfully tried nt tlm city of IMiluluvrw, 
Baden, by which nil tliu street lamps wore simultaneously iiclued, mid 
also cxilrigiitnlied nt tho nruno moment, A description of tho apparels* 
was not ulvcii. Tim report stated, however, that pre»*uru was employed 
a* the iiioaiih to produce the ili’ilrml effort, iimiend of electricity, which 
Imil failed, uml I* subject to ninny drawback*. Now, such iirrongoniciil 
may be very well adopted for the purpo-u of llluinliiutlnu in ono moment 
Urn street* of a oily; It remains, however, to bo soon, whether It would 
not Interfere with the Interest nnd convenience of parlies using ga* lu 
their dwellings and eslablulimcnl* nt time* when It Is nut used In tho 
street#. On this point the report *nld nothing. I.. 
PERSONAL. — Wo wore favored last week with a call from 
Mr. Stuuley James, tho English author, who arrived on tlici 
White Star steamer “Adriatic." He contemplates making a 
tour through the Southern States, and has engaged to wrlto 
a scries of letters for our contemporary " Tho South," Mr. 
Janies has contributed occasional articles for Forest and 
Stream, and it is not unlikely that ho muy favor our 
readers with a random sketch during tho period of Ills 
travels. 
Frank Cowan’s Skulliihy.— 1 Thu eccentric editor of 
"Frank Cowan's Paper" published ut Grecusburg, I’n., is 
an enthusiastic naturalist, and wishing to enlarge Ills collec- 
tion, advertises to exchange yearly subscriptions lor Skulls 
of all kinds — panthers, wild cuts, wolves, foxes, martens, 
weasels, wolveynes, otters, badgers, raccoons, bears, 
beavers, gophers, porcupines, moose, elk, birds, reptiles, 
fishes, and varmints in general. A great Inducement to 
subscribe Is thus held out to students of natural history- 
Contributions may also bo expected from base bull players, 
(skulls of bats,) und from oarsmen, especially of the 
Schuylkill Navy, who doubtless have many spare sculls on 
the shelf, to say nothing of scnlplnw, scull ions, sculptors. 
— Several successful experiments have been made at 
Newport, H. I., with can torpedoes upon the Ice in t lie 
harbor, by officers and employees of the torpedo station. 
Owing to the great thickness of the Ice the columns of 
spray did not roach the height of over twelve feet, hut the 
surface was for a long distance completely shuttered. 
—From a flotlk of HI white Leghorn fowls, 20 liens and 
2 cocks, Mr. E S. L. Dolliver. of Gloucester, Mas*., last 
your netted #119.52, an average profit of $4.12 to each 
fowl. 
—Visitors to Florida can now go from Jacksonville to 
Bt. Augustine by steamer to Tocol, and return tho same 
day, having three hours In the “Ancient City." 
La Masoil— A mong the many words with which the 
English sporting vocabulary has enriched the French lan- 
guage, wo have to record the latest addition of la match. 
The Journal Ojjlci/l dts Courses au Trot devotes nearly a 
column to a description of a bran mash. 
