FOREST AND STREAM 
133 
— A splendid petrified head of a walru9 has just been 
found on Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia, and 
has been presented to the Provincial Museum. These 
animals once made this island a headquarters. 
Hybrid Duck. — A duck was shot Dear Sacramento re- 
cently, which combined the appearance of n teal duck and 
a sprig-tail, being about the size and having the bill, back 
and tail of a sprig, which its head, breast and wings re- 
sembled a teal. 
Figure of a Salmon in Freestone. — On Thursday 
last, at a red freestone quarry, Cumberland, in splitting a 
block of stone am. long by 14in. wide, they found the 
figure of a salmon about 2} ft- long. The color is of a real 
salmon almost as plain as if it were alive. The stones are 
iu the possession of Mr. Dacre, the manager of the Dear- 
ban Collieries.— T. G. (Cockermouth, in London Field.) 
[Wo saw it stated in a Halifax, Nova Scotia, paper of 
late date, that a half a salmon, or a fossil fish of the size of a 
salmon, had been found in the coal measures of New 
Glasgow. — E d. F. &. S. ] 
— 
CENTRAL PARK MENAGERIE. 
DEPAIITMBNT OF PUBLIC PARK0, I 
New York. April 4, 1875. I 
Animals received at Central Park Menagerie for tho week oDdiug 
April 3d , 1875:- 
One Kltikajoo, Ctrtolrptt* coudlvolvului. Hob. Dcmerara. Presented 
by Mr. C. Burnside Stoddard. 
One Sheldrake, Mcrtjiu ameiicanug. Presented by Mr. William 
Knnyon. 
One Rnffid Gr.msc, BonatuK umbellus. Received In exchange. 
Two Sea Lions, Ewnrtopias tUllai. Ilab. North Pucillc Ocean. 
W. A. Conklin, Director. 
’oodlatid, Jf.mn and §arden. 
APRIL-THE VIOLET. 
I HAVE just returned Irom n walk beside the quiet 
brooks of an old deep woodlawn, aud if anything gave 
an additional zest to this morning's walk it was tile 
rich and far-pervading odor of the Rumble violets. How 
lavishly they lie all around, nestling amid the rocks beside 
the brooklets;— now a cluster of the deep purple ones peep 
up from between two stones planted on both sides; from the 
nestling waters of the brook they rest and grow secure, 
while the silver spray of the waters fall in sparkling lines 
nnd prismatic drops around and above them. While con- 
templating this as one of the most interesting of I lie flower 
families of the earth, it seems almost too beautiful a crea- 
tion to be simply an bumble eartliborn plant. Did we not 
behold in the star-mosaic adormnont of Ibis lower world 
the handiwork of Nature’s God we should almost attribute 
this delicate penciling of the humble daisy and violet to 
the power of some powerful genii— some flower god of our 
own imagination, so perfect is this sweet flower. 
They are emphatically all our own, for they belong al- 
most entirely to the Northern hemisphere aud the temper- 
ate zone. The violet cannot live in the dry or arid heat of 
tropical climes. They are peculiarly ihe children of 
our own American homes, they live in all their beauty of 
untamed nature beneath the native wild wood, beside the 
dear purling brook;— their home may bo found widely scat- 
tered over New England, and in the sweet regions of the 
suuny South. The violet it would seem rises up at our very 
feet /as it were, an unbidden, yet an ever-welcome guest;— 
who does not love violets? I have plucked the violet this 
April in full blossom, and although the air was somewhat 
chilly, the same sweet May smell was there, the charm was 
upon the early violet blossom. “ And like the smile of hope, 
sweet blooming, through her tears the early promise came,” 
to remind me of all the coming flowers of the sweet sea- 
son of May. About the tenth day of April you can search 
within the deep woods of the St. Lawrence and yon will 
find the violet there; visit the Stales of the C'arolinas you 
find your little friend there, it peeps up beneath the fronds 
of the green ferns, it preaches its silent impressive lesson in 
the Western wilderness; it is not unlike the solitary flower 
found by Mungo Park iu the interior of Africa— a flower 
of consolatioirio every beholder. 
Among the first of our Spring blossoms I have observed 
the yellow violet. This pleasing sight will quite often ry- 
pay the observant botanist in his early rambles through the 
forest, aud he is amply rewarded with a sight of 
" The yellow violet’s modest bell, 
Pecpiog from last year’s leaves below. 
The white violet is the next in order or rotatiou, and tho 
haunts they delight in are wet places, clinging to mossy 
hunks and damp stones irrigated with water. It grows 
luxuriantly, and yields a pungent fragrance. In the violet 
there are found many species of varied peculiarities of 
habits. Added to the yellows and whiles, already re- 
ferred to, may he named purple, blue, gray, aud striated. 
Variety of form, of leaves, flowers, and habits, will always 
he interesting to every one who will study them iu their 
homes, and carefully note their every day life. We go to 
the woods for some; we climb the steep ascent of the hill- 
top for a high aud dry situation for others. We seek otheis 
far inland— we go to the sea shores, and the borders of the 
salt marshes, aud if wo are patient seekers we find then, 
gilding with freshness and beauty even the rough und 
dreary roadside. Nor is this the extreme bouudury of 
their dwelling; they are found growing in ull their pride, 
beauty aud luxuriuucc amid the darkest and most gloomy 
6wamps. There may, with propriety, be mentioned an- 
other variety, which, so far, seems to me to he a distinct 
species. It is a green violet, and grows more than a foot in 
height. We have often seen it iu the woods; its time for 
blossoming is rather confined to June. This plant has a pe- 
culiar way of its own in flinging abroad its seeds. When 
in the perfecticnof nature the seeds are ready to he planted 
the pod opens, then on very dry days each valve forcibly 
projects the seeds by firmly folding itself up. All the vio- 
lets have something of this habit, though not so perceptible 
us iu this species. In our next we shall discourse still fur- 
tlier upon the nature and beauty of ibis much neglected 
plant. We hope our lady friends will commence experi- 
ments with the same, and in due time communicate the re- 
sults of their culture through the Forest and Stream. 
Ollipod Quill. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Wortit Trying.— One of our friends writes us that ho 
was, last year, much troubled on a portion of his garden 
with slugs, or shell-lap suails. They infested his tomatoes 
nnd cabbage plants, in some cases completely covering 
them. He applied a circle of bran, (wheat or rye) about 
four inches around tho plants. After dark the snips were 
found in the bran in great numbers nnd could lie e.tsily de- 
stroyed, t*hey were killed in great numheis. We have often 
killed these slugs by the application of strong suit water 
around the hill; three times will he all that is necessary to 
completely rout them. 
M. — Add sulphur to your saltpettc and charcoal dust; 
apply one quart to each plum tree near the root. 
New Zinnias. — Wo have received a package of rare 
seed from Paris, from an old friend who is interested in 
the success of the Forest and Stream. Among other 
rare and valuable seeds are four now zinnias, of which 
much is said by those who have seen them iu blossom last 
year. One is called the quill variety, und if half as beau- 
tiful as claimed, will prove a great accession to our Ameri- 
can gardens. This seed is good, and after a careful trial 
we shall give a full description of these new varieties, with 
crur collection, treatment, and the results. 
Ellen M., Troy, N. Y . — Your question, nnd all other 
information necessary, will be answered in the course of a 
few weeks. It is too long to give in a short answer. 
Ollipod Quill. 
LUMBER CAMPS IN MAINE. 
Buompibld House, Boston, March 13, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
Consulting your map and railroad soldo. It Is easy 'o And tho location 
and howto get to South Lincoln, Me., at which station we were landed 
at nine A. M., and taking a lumlier road leading VV. by N. \V., through 
snow of four feet deep, we cross tho Penobscot River, nnd a tramp of 
sixteen miles brings us to the camps of the lumbermen on tin 1 Sebols 
River. Thu Sohois is formed by the union of two brunches, called East 
and West branches, which are fed by the waters of sovernl streams nnd 
dye lakes of considerable size. This section of country Is undulating, 
nnd Inclined to be swampy. It suffered the loss of nearly all its forest 
growth In tho destructive lire of 1825. and Is now covered with a second 
growth. All timber of highest value has been cut off, and now the chief 
product of the forest Is ship knees and shovel h inille timber. The per- 
mit to cut is leased of the land owners at a specified price for trees 
culled stumpago, and thou begins the Winter work, First the location 
of camp will be made os central on the “permit ’a* possible, nod con* 
venieot to good water; the size ol camp to be determined by the mini 
her of men to be employed. A camp W feot by 20 " III accommodate 85 
men. Then trees are felled and hewn and tlio logs placed ono upon an- 
other with a lnyei of moss between nnd locked together at the corners. 
The roof is tlrst covered with shingles four feet long, split from cedar 
logs, ami then the topi- covered ovor with a thick layer of green hough-, 
so thill tho coming snows may not rest on the shingle- ami Iu- melted by 
the wurmth within. The floor i- eompo-ed of thick hewn plunk. The 
rear end. which la used for the kitchen department. Is furnished with u 
cook stove, a “henn hole” In the ground, where beans are baked, u In U. 
S. service, nnd the best way yet invented, and a good supply of tin 
crockery complete the furniture of the kitchen A long stationary table 
1 8 always set, and at the signal from the cook ' beans mi tho table,” all 
hands stand not on the order of going, but ’ go” for that labia, and beaus, 
venison, beef, or bread are not nibbled with a dyspeptic’s caution. 
I have beard of camps where the penalty for coming to the table with 
washed Imuds was banishment. Blit here on the 8 ehol» there are no 
such stringent laws, for the gangs are mndo tip of residents from down 
river, who are smart, intelligent, and well bred men, while In some of 
the more northern lumber regions wc Und large gangs of French Cunodl 
ans and half-breed Indians, the full blooded Lo sold -m stooulng lodnv 
labor, although degenerated to a half civilized condition. Near the con 
treof the room 1* a large stove lo warm the camp opposite which Is 
built a double row of bunk*, made up with green boughs, on which Is 
spread a thick blanket, and a second ono fora covering for the men. 
Then after the day’s work is done, tho long evening spoilt In srnoklog 
their pipes, playing games, or spinning long yarns of escapes by Hood 
nnd Held taud truly, too, for every mm lias been both hunter und log 
driver), and with heads to the wall aud feet lo the lire, all haiuL turn In 
and sleep n sleep known only to those who have no care for the morrow. 
Now, coming to the sports of this section. Our excursion here at the 
invitation of friends being tuoro for recreation than sport, wo cannot bo 
expected to show a big bag in March; nor will wo Imitate the stylo of 
gome otherwise interesting correspondents, and lire the reader by giving 
a journal, the most prominent feature of which Is the number of drink- 
takeu In u day, Ac. We don’t do ilitti*s In that way, nnd If wo did, would 
not advertise it us the sport of the day; hut will -ay briefly: Trout are 
abundant and of good size in all the waters of the Sobols (hitting u 
dozen holes through icc three feet thick, we bad the pica- are of Inaugu- 
rating tho trout season in Maine, by taking about forty that weighed 
from ono to three pounds eneb. 
The fur bearing animals are much hunted, and only lynx mid foxos nr 
numerous. The skill of oue lynx and a mink were added lo our bolt. 
After tho lire of 1825, while the forest wus renewing Itself, the scrub 
growth of nushes afforded the best of sustenance for the moose, and un- 
til within a few years they roamed they woods as numerous u« the ruffed 
grouse ; but to quote the words of an old liunicr: “In a day's tramp I 
would pass dozens of their decaying carcasses, -Inin merely for tlielr 
skins ” And a- u sequence they are now seldom met with. 
Deer may still be found in considerable numbers, but don’t forget I 
date this in March, which is consequently close season for deer lint Und- 
ine their ya-ds near our Ashing ground, and there being no law t.. pro- 
vent »ueli fun, we gu'e one proud buck a six mile chase on snow shoes, 
until we overtook him nnd put our mark on hi u, and wishing him a 
more successful escape from the wolves u .ill next Fall, r/e hope to 
meet him again, and will not let him off so easy. 
Our observation and success unsure us Hint good shooting and fl-tilng 
can be found here, und I must say that through the hospitality extended 
us at these comps, my ten day*’ sojourn was made one of tny most In- 
teresting and plcaiureable trips, and let no mao assume to know the 
sports of “down East’, until he hna made bis home In a lumbermau’a 
camp. m , r 
NEWFOUNDLAND RAMBLES. 
Haiuioii Grace, March 1, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
The distance from Bonavlsuto Cutallna Is about ten mile., more or 
le*s as the lawyers say. On leaving Bonuvlsta, a- we a-cend the Ar-t 
pretty gentle, wooded hill of our roud. wo turn and luke a punlng look 
at the lowu. with Us beautiful church, ncul houses and green field*. nod 
then for a tluo walk to Catallnn. Our road l» generally level nnd Inter- 
spersed with thick woods here and there bounding Its sides, diversified 
with miniature savannah tracts of land, where we see the tnphorum, or 
cotton gras* growing. Owing to Ares lo the woods, considerable tioc.s 
of burnt wood mny be seen 1 have seen many Aock. of porirldvc on 
this road. In foggy, drizzling weather I have aecn the bird*, old and 
young, walking like chickens on the road before inc. and one could en-lly 
hit them with a Btone. indeed 1 have seen people kill them In ihut way. 
Bat the dog and the g““ t» ibe proper way. “Whit are you doing!' 
said a fnend to lU* explain. ’Tin watching Bang,” a One setter dog. 
who rose the partridge, which were duly and lawfully shot. But we are 
at Bren l on Bridge. This I* called after one of ihe former Judges of 
the Supreme Court. Here Aowa a tine rlvir, shining Iu Iho rummer 
■un. Iu banks are beautified by a thick grow th of v ariwt irees. with Ihe 
everlasting spruce and Ar. It's cold work, fouling rlvi r«; yot betimes It 
ha« lo be dona. In tbls case, thanks to Brentou's Bridge. It ha* not to 
lie dono. We sot down on the btldgo to luncheon, anil re Invigorated, 
after a walk of nbout three mile* Catallnn is before 'is The pro-OOCt la 
somewhat rocky and uninviting All Catalina Is dlv ilod Into th-ee parts 
— the northeast arm, Iho southwest arm. and ihe main water* of the 
harbor. There is a fine English church In 0 itnllnn, also a Wesleyan 
church, perched on tho top of a rocky hill. There I- also a neat Hill* 
Catholic church There are some moicantlle establishments here, and 
considerable trade. Tho place Is large, and a great many houses for an 
out|K>st. There are various vessels, and there Is our little boat Solos, 
anchored safely In the northeast arm, a most comfort sblo place In a gale 
of wind, na Is the heart of a loving wife In the slorms of a hard world, 
which nevertheless hath Its snn-hlne and It flowore— not the “llowere 
rocks,” to avoid which keep Cope Bonovlsta Light o| en of Green Island 
off Ca'allna entrance Aftar a walk of nearly ten mile-, we are glad to 
get on board our boat and tako dinner and a ro-l, and prepare fora start 
further north to-morrow— Urae, remember, Is September, 0. 
ghe gietmel. 
Tiie Coming Dencii Show at Simunofmcld.— W« de- 
sire lo cull tho ultcnliun of all owners of lino logs to tho 
fact that the Dog anti Gun Club of Springfield, Mass., will 
give a Dench Show of (logs at tho City Hull in that city on 
Wednesday 28th insl. The list of premiums, which will 
bu on it liberal scale, will be published in lids paper next 
week, and copies will also ho sent on application lo (ho 
Secretary. [Seo advertisement ] Judging from whut wo 
hear, the “show" will bo ono of tho largest which has oc- 
curred of lulu, nnd tho names of tho gentlomon who have 
tho matter in hand are guarantees of success. 
Bismarck. — D avid Brooks, Esq , of Philadelphia, tho 
owner of tho famous Boiler Bismarck, made us a 
short visit recently, and favored us with an cstracl from 
his diary, allowing whut ho hud done In tho way of 
shooting In Iowa in September last. It Is well Iu own that 
in tho month of September iho pinnated grouse begin lo 
pack, and do not lie so well to tho dog as they do curlier In 
ihe season, and when Mr. D. reached tho ground* to shoot 
the birds had boon considerably thinned out, wore quit* 
wild and not disposed lo lie well; yet, with the lino noso 
anti caution of old “Bis.," Mr. B hugged from hU points 
•is follows:— 8cpt. 1 Ith, six grouse; Sept. I2lli, eight groute; 
Sept. 1 5th, twelve grouse; Sept, lfiili, thirty two grouse; 
Sept. 17th, for' y grouse; Sept 10th, flftoua grouse; Sept. 
21st, twelve grouse; Sept. 22(1, forty-one grouse; 8opt. 28(1, 
twenty-four grouse. 
— Tho Suffolk county, L. I., Agricultural Association, 
has prepared a bill “for tho most effectual protection 
of sheep from Injury by dogs," which 1* intended lo apply 
to the whole State, city ns well ns country, Under It, no 
person can keep a dog without first obtaining a j early 
license of $1 for a malo and $3 for a female, under a 
penalty of $10 for each offonco, und all unlicensed dogsure 
to he killed. 
—Tho announcement In our hist week's Issuo regarding 
“I)og Whip’s" imported field trial suiter dog Leicester, 
should have read “will /wf'joput to public stud," Instoad of 
as printed. 
DOG FARES. 
Rociierteii, Man'll 18, '.875. 
Editor Forest and Stream :- 
In your Issue of March 18th, 1875. wo mu thu arilclo signed Theodora 
Grey, conductor I*. F. W. & C. R . complaining of tho rubuko io all rail 
road men. particularly bnggago innslor*, clalmlnr that It Is unj i»t, and 
tli ill ono coni pur rnllo on dog* I* more Ilian baggage masters i.*k for. 
Our experience him been quite different. Oil llie F. F W A ('. II It , on 
wlileh Mr, Grey I* a conductor, wo huvo paid live coins per mile on ouch 
dog, and live cents pur r illo on each gun. Tho irnggago mo-tor de- 
mandod It and received It, and for any distance wo have not paid lea 
1 1 1 it n two cents per inllo. Tho Ronllomsn think* u noi very pleasant to 
bo cooped up In E baggage cnr. It may be pleaaunt, or not. hot iherE 
ineitiH to bo a groat strife among railroad employees to got there. The 
cause I* unknown to ns, iu wo are not railroad employee*. Mr. Grey 
etalea that be bus i raveled on a groat many railroad", and ha* never 
been charged more tnon was Just end right. Till" undonbivdly le trot, 
ho being one of the railroad family; but lot a stranger slap In and seo 
how they will do for him. Respectfully, II. Marshall. 
L. 41. Oatman. 
Our correspondent* must either ho mlatukoii, or refer to 
a period previous to 1880, iih since that time we huvo trnr- 
clctl oil the P. F. W AC. It. und puld u tariff price for 
our dogs which was perfectly reasonable. Thu sumo ap- 
plies to oilier roads iu the West and Northwest. — Ed. 
KENNEL NOTES FROM GEORGIA. 
Havannaji, Ga., Starch S', l"7B. 
Editor Forest and Stream:-- 
tflnco Iho organization of our gome law* a much greater Interest has 
been taken In the way of procuring fine dog" Hum ever before, Captain 
J. IV White lint, at a great expense, purchased from Win <1 I’urker, 
of Ml Palatine, III . a brace, dog nnd bitch, of Amo Irish seller.. which 
ho Intends to keep for breeding purpose* only. Tho dog, Yock, I" a 
splendid looking animal, being of almost tho dimensions of the celebra- 
led Gordon setter Kent, liver nd while In color, and ono of Ihe most 
powerfully muscled dog" I ever «aw, t »»» out with Captain White a 
few day* ago when he took him out for a short inn lo ecu how hr would 
walk. Ho quartered hie ground In magnificent style, head high np. 
scenting the air, and not iho ground, and was a* "launch uml "toady on 
Id- points a.* could be, and backed up Ihe other dog* finely. Clpscy, Ihe 
bitch, lia*, 1 belb ve. been kepi for breeding purposes only, nod ha* al- 
ready been served by Yock Hh« I* much "inallvr man lie. but a wry 
(I,,,. In. king dog nnd Olio that would attract attention anywhere Cspt. 
White deserves great praise tor making such a valuable addition to hi» 
Kennel, and It la to be hoped he will receive the reward Ire merits from 
oor sportsmen who do not wish to tend away from,t) 0 ioo for fine dogs. 
