58 
^pril 24: 
L1SBABY TABLS, 
Wheeleb Subvet Expeditios — “ Progress and report upon 
Geographical and Geological Explorations and Surveys west 
of the Hundredth Meridian in 1872, under direction of Briga- 
dier General A. A. Humphreys, Chief of Engineers, U. S. A., 
hy First Lieutenant Geo. M. Wheeler, Inspector of Engineers 
in charge Washington, 1874.” — 
The above title is somewhat intimidating to the ordinary 
reader, hut it says no more than it means, and every word is of 
weight. The public scientific and intellectual works for the 
general good are a cause of just pride and exultation in mon- 
archical countries, and are repeatedly pointed at as a conse- 
quence of government administration by the educated and 
pnvileged classes. If the suggestion has any such signifi- 
cance, how potent must its application be to the fitness of 
popular government, especially when our youth as a nation is 
remembered, and when we remember that our governors and 
rulers are fluctuatmg, and have not the advantage of special 
education. 
The work before us is little more than the index and title 
page of the more complete monographs, of which it is the 
herald and precursor. It teUs us in brief, sententious, 
though sufSciently perspicuous style, how the Wheeler ex- 
ploration command was ocsupied in 1872, the range of coun 
try they traversed, the subjects to which they directed their 
attention, and gives us a synopsis of the results, to be more 
fully set out in volumes that are now in course of preparation, 
and which cannot be completed for some time. This quarto 
pamphlet is illustrated by photo-lithograph pictures ot the 
scenery, showmg peculiar geological formations, and is fur- 
ther accompanied by a senes of topographical maps, showing 
the surface distribution into mountain and plain, mineral 
sections and other topical peculiarities ; the commencement, 
in fact, of a record of the highest national value. 
Some numbers back we took occasion to refer in a ciu’sory 
manner to the labors of our scientists in these exploring 
expeditions. We might, with great propriety, have in- 
cluded all men who devote their lives to the pursuit of 
science in our brief eulogium. But the idea was to show the 
danger and hardships to which scientists are exposed, while 
in a pursmt that seems so peaceful and unoffending, and fur- 
ther to call attention to the self-sacrifice, fur science sake, of 
such splendid ability and untiring energy. To this may be 
added the prodigious stores of knowledge that must be ac- 
cumulated by these men, and the faculty of dispensing such 
precious treasures for the public advantage. 
The work of exploration in our Western States and Terri- 
tories has been one of great labor, always involving health, 
and frequently at the risk of life ; conflict with frost and snow, 
heat and cold, wintry gales in the mountains or scorching 
heat on the plains, is too common to be worth more than a 
passing note. The amount of actual travel is told in the fact 
that the volume before us (only a portion of these Western 
surveys) gives an account of operations over an area exceed- 
ing 50,000 square miles, joining on the north the 40 = paraUei 
survey under King, and on the southeast that of Powell near 
the Colorado. The divisions into which the work was arranged 
include the Astronomical, Topographical, Meteorological, 
Geological, Natural History, Photography, and the wide range 
included under the term Miscellaneous. Our esteemed con- 
tributor, Dr. H. 0. Yarrow, had charge as surgeon and natur 
alist ; another of our friends, Mr. H. W. Henshaw, assisting 
Dr. Yarrow as collector. 
Dr. Yarrow has made a special report, which those who read 
his articles in these columns, will readily beheve is to us the 
most interesting chapter in this report. The chapter 
on mining and agriculture is valuable, not the less so from 
pointing out the difficulties in the way of making these 
alkaline regions availible to agricultural uses. Preservation 
and replanting of timber is a question not new to our readers, 
and we find it forcibly urged. There is not a great abun- 
dance of timber in the mountains that border these great 
plains, but its destruction proceeds at so rapid a rate that we 
can easily calculate on its total extinction at no distant day. 
Our limits prevent a more extended notice, hut we shall return 
to Dr. Yarrow’s chapter on the natural history. 
The Tkeatyse of Fxsshysge, With An Angle; from the Book 
of St. Albans, by Dame Juliana Berners, A. D. 1496 ; edited 
by Geo. W. Van Siclen. — Van Siclen, New York. Every 
angler who ever looks into a book knows Izaak Walton at least 
by name. He kbows, or should know, that not only did W’al- 
ton follow fishing with commendable skill, and leave us 
directions and recipes for its successful practice, but he left 
to those who should come after him, a legacy of pious philoso- 
phy, of humanity, of soul culture and love of nature, that has 
made his work an English classic, and endeared his name to 
all lovers of the angle. Before us we have something quite 
as rich in all good qualities, probably the very work from 
which the later worthy gained his first thought, and written 
by a woman, too. The editor honestly tells that there have 
been doubts as to the feminine authorship, but we prefer to 
believe in Dame Juliana ; and for the matter of that, do not, 
at any time, feel ourselves obliged to honor those superfluous 
fossil hunters who go poking in the dust of ages merely to 
shake our faith in a legend, and giving us nothing better in 
substitution. So we cast our vote for the lady. The repnbU- 
cation of such a choice volume as this, solely for the delecta- 
tion of anglers, shows that there is a belief in tne upward pro- 
greaa of the craft in our free country. We are not all pot 
hunters. There is a goodly leaven of gentle blood and fine 
breeding 
Passing the dissertation on authorship contained in the 
preface, as matter that touches not ns, we com*- to the marrow 
of the volume — the lady’s own words and counsel. She begins 
with morals— if a man leads a good life he is sure to live well. 
He shall avoid doctors, and be his own leech ; a cheerful 
spirit, easy labor and a temperate diet. The sum of all these 
is to be found in the pursuit of angling. Having proved to 
her content that the disport and game of angling is the 
means and cause for a flourishing and long age, she proceeds 
to instruct her readers in the details of the art. She teaches 
how to make the harness, rod and line, hook and sinker. I'he 
first and principal point is “ to kepe fro the water fro the 
syghte of the fyshhe,” for if the fish see you they will not bite ; 
and don’t shadow the water, and dont be too hasty ; don’t 
snap at every nibble : and for the time of day, the early morn 
ing, and a dark day is better than a clear. The noble ladje 
holds salmon to be the most stately fish that any man may 
angle to, and, therefore, begins with him. For flies there are 
directions, and recommendations as to the change of bait 
with the season, winding up with an exhortation to respect 
poor men’s property, and not to use the craft for covetousness, 
but for solace, and to cause health of body and specially ol 
soul ; also not to be ravenous in taking game, but contranwise 
“nourysh the game, and thereby be worthy the blessynge 
of God and Saint Peter.” 
All of which we also commend to the reader, and advise him 
by all means to buy the book itself. 
PopcLAB SciESCE for May is full of interesting matter. The 
contents are “ Sea- Anemones,” by Rev. Dr. Lockwood ; “The 
First Traces of Man in Europe,” by Prof. Mueller ; “Scientific 
Prophecy “ The Ghemical Radiations,” by Dr. Youmaus, 
M. D.; “ On some of the Results of the Expedition of H. M. S. 
Challenger,” by Prof. Huxley ; “ Evolution and the After- 
Life,” by Dr. Osgood Mason ; “Address to Medical Students,’ 
by Rev. Dr. Washburn ; “ The Deeper Harmonies of Science 
and Religion “ Modem Street Pavements,” by Adolf Closs 
“ Discourse on the Death of Lyell,’' by Dean Stanley ; “ The 
Physiology of Authorship,” by R. E. Francdlon ; “ Sketch ol 
Dr. WiUiam Whewell (with portrait);” Correspondence, Edi- 
tor’s table. Literary Notices and Miscellany. “ The First 
Traces of Man in Europe” leads to some veiy broad con- 
clusions as to man s earliest condition. “ The Deeper Har- 
monies of Science and Rehgion’’ and the “ Discourse on 
Lyell” direct thought to the loftiest issues which the human 
mind can investigate, and point the way to su assured convic- 
tion of the perfect conformity of all natural and revealed 
truths : as indeed how should it be otherwise when one ah 
embracing will and one master hand designed and fashioned 
all things. 
The Galaxy for May has but litile about the Centennial 
— LuxiS Deo. When we Americans lake up an idea we run 
It until it is weariness unspeakable. The continuations are 
“Leah,” “Dear Lady Disdain,” “A Norseman’s Pilgrimage,” 
and the bitter article on “ Louis, the Eccentric Music Wor- 
shipping King of Bavaria.” “ Angelica Kauffman” is a clever 
sketch of a woman arust, admired by Sir Joshua Reynolds auu 
envied by her contemporaries. It may be taken as a comment 
on Miss Thackeray's story of the same eminent but unfurtn 
nate lady. “ Miss Clive and I'’ is a society novelette of much 
merit by an anonymous writer ; and “ Unbidden ’ is a bit ot 
Rosicrucian thought set in verse, none the worse for being 
without name. The “ Scientific Miscellany’ is unusually in- 
teresting. 
Shooting IX the Southwest, dedicated to “Y'e Lovers ol 
Dog, Gun and Rod,” by a Brother Sportsman, is a hvely httle 
pamphlet, which tells said lovers “to take their noses off' that 
grindstone,’’ and to go away to the Southwest, along the line 
of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, where they will find a true 
sportsman’s paradise. A beautiful laud, inexhaustible in its 
variety of resources, with its mtnes, forests and prairies ; its 
mountains, cataracts and canyons ; its valleys, dales and 
streams ; home of the wild horse, deer, elk, bear, wild cattle, 
wild turkey, grouse, quail, duck, goose, brant, crane, snipe, 
swan, curlew, plover, and birds of song. 
A’iok's Flobal Guide comes to us pleasing, and, as usual, 
with plenty of facts on flowers and light airy woodcuts. 
The Aheeic.vn Natdkalxst for April contains “ About 
Starch,” by Prof. M. W. Harrington ; “ Botanical Observa- 
tions in Southern Italy,” by C. C. Parry ; “ The Indian 
Cemetery of the Gruta das Mumias— Southern Minas Geraes, 
Brazil,” by Prof. C. F. Hartt ; “The Mode of Growth of the 
Radiates,” by A. S. Packard, Jr.; with the usual critical no- 
tices of books and events’in the sciences. 
The Mud-pish, a specimen of which has just been received at 
the Brighton aquarium, Eugland, is a curious animal, abnudant in 
Africa, but not met with far from the equator When the African 
rivers are dried, and their bottoms, under the influenc of the torrid 
and desicating air, are baked to a hard cruet, with splits and cracks 
innuiuerable, the mud-fish, which are onab,e to retreat like the sea- 
fishes from the shoaling water with an ebb tide, is found at the 
depth of eighteen inches, incrusted in mud, where it remains for 
about three quarters of the year and until the next rainy season. 
When the mud is again liquified the fish is set free, none the worse 
for its long imprisonment and deprivation of light and air. 
Mr. John Taylor of Gardiner, Me., recently captured a brook 
trout with a hook and line in “Jock’s Brook,” nearWinthrop Pond, 
which weighed seven pounds lacking one ounce. The fish attracted 
considerable attention among the spoiUmen and others. 
LETTERS 
“ Penobscot’s” Rejoinder- 
Veston, Vt., April 10. 
Editor op Rod akd Grx: 
Friend “ Ridlon’’ has, in your last nomber, given a correct ex- 
planation of animals gnawing off their feet'* when taken in a steel 
trap, and thereby in the main corroborating my statement. Had he 
in the first place, thns qnalified his assertion, I shonld have seen no 
cause for criticism. I am pleasad to see that my well meant criti- 
cism was received in the same kindly spirit in which it was offered. 
What we trapper«, and, in fact, all sportsmen want is “more light.” 
Trappers, especially, never become perfect in their art; at least my- 
self— a gray-haired votary — am always learning. I don't wonder in 
the least that be is skeptical on the point that animals do gnaw off 
their feet where the blood has free circulation, because he has not 
seen it, and for the reason he gives it seems impossible. Neverthe- 
less, I will give an instance, the first I ever \^itne6sed. Three years 
ago 1 found a fisher in a large wolf trap, canght high np on a hind 
leg. I approached unseen to \>ithin ten paces, and saw it deliber- 
ately gnawing through the bam in its largest part, apparently with- 
out pain, since it did not flinch or bold in the least. In this in- 
stance it had not gnawed below the jaws of the trap in the least. 
So great was the mutilation — having gnawed to the bone — that that 
side of the* pelt was very noticibly shorter when stretched. In 
conclusion, I beg to unite with him in the hope that other trap- 
pers will give their experience. Trappers, as a general thing, are 
too modest — or exclusive. Penobscot. 
Our.Paper— Our Club- 
South Bend, Ind., Apr. 18. 
Editor Rod and Gun; 
I waut to congratulate you upon your change of name. I have 
always recognized the ability with which your paper has been con- 
ducted, but could never reconcile myself to the unsightly and too 
suggestive name of “Sportsman.” It was altogether too expressive, 
it seemed to me, to suit any quiet lover of the rod and gun. The 
new name Rod and Gun was a happy thought and will grow in the 
affections of your readers and certainly will not be a cause of mis- 
apnrehension as to the scope and aim of “onr paper” to the general 
public. 
The “Union Club” of this city, is in a flonrishing condition, hold- 
ing weekly meetings and is doing a good work in edneating public 
opinion in the direction of proper fish and game laws. We inau- 
gurated a new feature in our cinb meetings a short time since which 
adds much to the interest of the meetings, and will serve a good 
purpose in edneating the members in natural history. A member is 
selected at each meeting who is required at the next regular meet- 
ing to read an original paper on some game bird or animal. Jacob 
Strayer opened the ball by an interesting original article on the 
“ Deer and iG habits;” as Mr. Strayer is an old and experienced 
deer hunter he was able to handle the subject with honor to himself 
and benefit to the club. A. B. Wade read a paper on the Quail. On 
the strength of “nine straight birds” last season he claims the 
championship of amateurs on that particular point. 
Prof. D. A. Erviug is down for an article on the Wild Turkey. 
E P. Stanfield has been invited to select his own subject, while J, 
W. Camper will read to-night a paper on “Breech-Loaders.” The 
expenditures of the Club last year were over $800 00, and we are 
therefore established on a sound basis, each member having a pecn- 
niary interest in ihe club. The total membership is 21— initiation 
fee $10. Y'early dues $6.00. It is intended to make our next trap 
shooting tournament in June a grand success, and we expect the 
noted shots of this State, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan to attend. 
A. B. Wade, Sec’y Union Club. 
Wild Turkeys Playing Out. 
Lansing, Mich., March 25. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
The Rod and Gun is to hand and there are many in my vicinity 
who will readily accept of your paper in preference to any other 
that has come within their notice. I am a shipper of game, a protec- 
tionist of the same ; I send you a copy of onr Lansing Republican 
showing at the close of the game season what amounts 1 have 
handled during last year ; 1 also send you season laws of our State 
for 1874 ; will also send season laws for 1875 as soon as out. I have 
advocated the protect ion of game publicly for five years in our State. 
Some bpecie« of game are rapidly dying out ; for instance, wild tur- 
keys, 1871, the largest dating the shipping season weighed 34 1-2 lbs; 
1372, the largest weighed 291-2; 1873 , 261-4 ; 1874, 24 ; now the 
largest; yet the slaughter goes on. I have showed up to onr leading 
citizens of this city the necessity of a more stringent game law, and 
my labors have not been in vain, as I shall show you by onr 1875 
game law which will be acted upon by our legislature now in session. 
Three years ago I could take my gun and go out most anywhere and 
shoot from two to three wild turkeys in a day ; now there are no 
oirde nearer than ten miles away, and only a few at that. The fig- 
ores plainly show to me that this noble bird is fast dying oat in onr 
State, as I have traveled a great deal to buy them up. I have 15 very 
fine wild turkeys alive, 3 gobblers ; one of those gobblerb weighs 
26 1-2 pounds; a finer bird I never saw. They have all been raised 
from the eggs, are perfectly tame to look at, but don’t attempt to 
catch one, or you will drive him away from the flock forever. I 
think of shipping them to England; the most of my game goes 
there from Toronto out, as that has been my headquarters for game. 
Quail and partridge are very abundant here; we have a good club 
here but they need a little sparring np. J. H. Hubbard. 
First Snipe. 
PHILADELPaiA, April 5. 
Editor Bod and Gun: 
The long looked for snipe has made its appearance on the mead- 
ows along the Delaware river in the vicinity of Philadelphia, and I 
bagged 13 fine snipe on April 1, and that with a young dog, for this 
part of the conntry ; my pointer dog is fonrteen months old, and 
was broken on quail last fall. He never saw a snipe before; he does 
not flinch from bmsb or briers, hut goe- right through them wherev- 
er he scents game, and yet a great many of my fellow-sportsmen 
prefer the setter rather lluin the pointer. Will some of them rii« 
and explain why they like setters rather than pointers t 
Quick Shot. 
I 
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