


FOREST AND STREAM. 
217 

GUN COTTON. 
po 
EVERAL of the recent experiments made in England 
with gun cotton are worth recording. This substance, 
somewhat modified, is now quite serviceable for fire-arms. 
In its crude condition, as an explosive material for proje¢- 
tiles, the fault lies in the spontaneous nature of its com- 
bustion, as it is quite as likely to burst a gun barrel as it is 
to drive out the ball or shot. In fact, like the fulminates, 
it requires to be tamed down. The curious point worthy 
of note in gun cotton is this: That its intensity of action, 
strange to say, depends upon the nature of the substance 
used to explode it; or in other words, gun cotton is sym- 
pathetic. If gently exploded witha spark, gun cotton in 
the form of yarn smoulders; if set on fire by a flame, it 
burns rapidly, behaving like gunpowder; but if fired by a 
fulminate it detonates with terrible energy. Prof. Able 
and Mr. E. O. Brown have shown that even when damp- 
ened and exploded with a fulminate, gun cotton does not 
lose a particle of its str€ngth. This discovery is of the 
utmost importance, as it allows this dangerous: material to 
be stored when wet. In this condition it is absolutely 
inert, there beng no more danger about it than in wet 
paper; but once apply to it the fulminate of mercury, and 
all its tremendous latent powers are called into play. A 
quantity of gun cotton can be thrown into the water, one 
cake of it only being dried, and when to this is applied a 
fuse terminating ina charge of fulminate of mercury, an 
explosion of the most violent character takes place. It is 
the wonderful rapidity of the ignition of gun cotton which 
is attracting the attention of those interested in these sub- 
jects. With the exception of light and electricty, so says 
Nature, ‘‘the detonation of gun cotton travels faster than 
anything else we are cognizant of.” About three miles a 
second is calculated to be the rapidity of the communication 
of gun cotton, one piece to another, or about 19,000 to 
» 20,0090 feet per second. Now,the transit of a bullet is about 
1,300 feet per second, or 1,400 at the utmost. Sound 
travels, under normal conditions, about 1,100 feet per 
second. It may then be safely asserted that, save electricity 
and light, the detonation of gun cotton is faster than that 
of any other known substance. A train of gunpowder 
would act as if ata snail’s pace when compared with it. 
We repeat that the curious point in these researches is not 
only in regard to the rapidity of the explosion, but the re- 
markable fact that gun cotton acts in sympathy with the 
method of firing it. Watwre thus expresses it quite clearly: 
“That a certain number of vibrations require to be set up, 
a certain key-note to be struck, in order to secure the de- 
composition of the material.” These subjects are worthy 
of our attention, for it is not impossible to imagine that, 
before long, in the United States, compositions of gun 
cotton may be in general use for our guns. In England, 
what is called Reeves gun felt for sporting purposes, finds 
every day strong advocates. 
———— tg 
LOUISA MUHLBACH’S GRAVE. 
et eA, 
T may not be uninteresting to the many literary readers 
Dee admirers of this gifted authoress to know that her 
ashes now repose in the graye which for eleven years has 
been the repository of the remains of her husband, Theo- 
dore Mundt, the author of ‘‘ Mirabeau.” Among the mour- 
ners on this occasion were many men and women eminent 
in art and literature. Here with reverend head uncovered 
stood the aged Carl Gutzhow, Adolph Glassbrunner, Ger- 
many’s great humorist ; Dr. Max Ring, the celebrated au- 
thor of ‘‘ John Milton and His Times.” Janke, the eminent 
German publisher, was quite a prominent personage. The 
Emperor William sent a representative of His Majesty in 
one of the Court Carriages, and otherwise signified his 
great respect for the gifted authoress. 
The grave of Louisa Muhlbach is between two celebrated 
men, Hegel, the eminent philosopher, reposing on one side, 
and a celebrated German actor on the other. 
The funeral oration was delivered by Rev. Dr. Lydow, 
who, it will be recollected, played so prominent a part not 
long since, and whose triumphant acquittal of heresy and 
the charge of infidelity by the Brandenburg Consistory 
created so great a sensation throughout Germany. 
The coftin was opened and a glance at the deceased, in a 
rich black suit, whose face still maintained the peaceful 
quiet. smile so remarkable in life, produced a thrilling 
effect upon all who stood around the casket. In his open- 
ing remarks, the Doctor said: ‘Far beyond this country 
will this mournful scene excite regrets in innumerable 
hearts. Critical judgment grows dumb in view of an open 
grave. Her works will live after her. Millions have read 
and admired them. Her’s was a life of work. For years 
she was an invalid, and yet she never wavered in perform- 
ing what she deemed the great duty of her life. Heroes 
greater than they who face the cannon’s mouth, are those 
who, with the germ of death within them, come smiling 
up, day after day, to their life’s work. It has been said 
that she whose death we mourn to-day has been a disbe- 
liever in the immortality of the soul. I know it is a cal- 
- umny, and I will repeat here what I heard her exclaim 
eleven years ago at this very grave at the moment when 
her hushand’s @ofiin was lowered into it, and she stood here, 
frantic with wrief, with her two little daughters. ‘No,’ 
she cried, in a voice ehoked by tears, ‘no, a mind that has 
created so many original works, in which it will live here 
on earth, cannot sink back into nothing.’”’ 
Then Carl Gutzhow laid a laurel wreath on the coftin, 
saying only, ‘‘ Adieu, dear gifted, faithful friend.” The pro- 
cession filed away in sadness, On the next dy after the 

burial a plain slab was placed upon the mound, upon | “qualify” it—indeed the majority of settlers ‘‘qualify” itso 
which was engraved: ‘‘ Clara Mundt, aged 59: the _his- 
torical novelist of Germany.” 
= 0  _-___——- 
THE YAP, FINANCIALLY, 
SS 
N this period of panic,when questions of gold and silver, 
of a metallic basis, of greenbacks, of fractional curren. 
cy, are agitating mens’ minds; when the solemn words of 
Adam Smith or Ricardo are forgotten, what a comfort it is 
to find a really national people, the Yaps, by name, who 
have as a basis of currency a moncy which is indeed as 
solidas a rock. No fluctuations can affect the Yaps’ 
money. It has a fundamental value about it which defies 
all the vicissitudes of fortune. 
The Yap, whose financial skill we are about to explain, 
dwells on an island of the same name, which is to be found 
in the Caroline group. The bullion which passes current 
there is even more cumbersome than the iron money of the 
Spartan. Small change is represented by stones. A penny 
is about the size of a Swiss cheese, while’a dollar is about 
as big asa mill-stone. Lvery stone is neatly rounded, and 
has a hole cut in the middle of it so that when a Yap lady 
wants to go shopping, a stout pole isrun through the stones 
and attendants must be employed to transport her money. 
The natural Yap Mint is situated on an island called Pilau, 
and is a rock of a whitish-yellow color. The Yaps go far 
out to sea to procure it, and loading their frail canoes with 
the crude article, the stone ingots, take their rocks home 
and cut, bore and coin them at their leisure. 

The advantages of such a circulating medium must be 
immediately apparent to those the least familiar with mon- 
etary affairs. For instance, a misanthropic Yap, a miser 
withal, desirous of hoarding to the very last his sordid 
gains, could most conveniently take one of these hard cash 
mill-stones, tie if round his neck and drown himself. Then 
again, if an importunate tailor should be too persistent in 
his calls, what would be easier than for a spendthrift dandy 
Yap, goaded to death by the dun, to clamber up to the top 
of his hut and let his little bill be settled by dropping the 
money in a lump on the tiresome tradesman’s head. It 
might be, too, quite available for ti:e purposes of collecting 
revenue. On the approach of the tax collector this func- 
tionary might be pelted with stones, and yet receive his 
dues. There is something admirable, too, in the idea of 
converting one’s treasures into a handy weapon. The Yap 
highwayman, attempting to waylay the wealthy Yap, 
might have has brains knocked out by the verv object he 
was feloniously trying to obtain. One thing certain, with 
stone money would be,that such common events as we hear 
of every day in this most civilized country, of treasurers 
and cashiers running off with other people’s money, would 
indeed be rendered physically impossible. 
SSS ee 
SYBILLINE LEAVES.—IV. 
; 
HINTS TO SPORTSMEN. 
Ae sh Ee 
N preparing for a winter’s campaign in Florida, one 
should take with him, if practicable, a tent and small 
boat. If they can be shipped by sailing vessel two weeks 
in advance of his sailing, they will reach Jacksonville in 
season for use and at little cost. If sentby steamer 
the charge fer freight will be enormous. A shot gun, rifle, 
ammunition, and fishing tackle should be taken from the 
north. The tent should be as light as possible and so con- 
structed that all the room can be utilized. The boat should 
be small, flat-bottomed and light. A large sail boat can be 
hired in Jacksonville at a reasonable price, and aman to 
sail it and do the cooking. Gun and rifle should be breech- 
loading, thus securing safety and dispatch in loading. Re- 
volvers and big bowie knives are superfluities. Everybody 
takes them, and everybody finds them in the way. Wear 
old clothes; half the pleasure in camping out is to be able 
to rough it. Don’t put on fancy costumes expecting to 
‘“make a spread,” as no one will appreciate the effort or 
effect. Wear woollen clothing at all times. For the feet, 
take good stout shoes, lacing up tightly about the ankle. 
A paar of tight (not tight fitting) boots, may be very good 
for a short, wet walk, but for an all-day’s tramp, through 
swamp and pine-woods, shoes are far superior. Two pairs 
good woollen, and one rubber blanket. A mosquito bar is 
indispensible, as many nights the tormenting insects call 
their own. If the country on the coast be visited, the 
“bar” should be made of thin cotton or lawn, to keep out 
the ‘‘sand-flies,” insects so small as hardly to be discern- 
ible, but with a bite like the burn of a hot iron. It would 
be well to take a little salve and thin plaster for cuts and 
bruises. In the line of medicine, one can take a whole 
apothecary’s shop, if so disposed, but, excepting a little 
whiskey and quinine, the former for snake-bites, which, 
never occur, and the latter for imaginary fever, no medi- 
cine will be needed, except for particularly squeamish folks 
who think life not worth the living out of sight of an ‘‘R,” 
or quack-doctor’s laboratory. For light at night, a lantern 
and candles will be sufficient, though kerosene, where little 
transportation is to be made, is preferable. Buy it in New 
York in 5 gal. can, boxed. It will always sell for twice 
its cost. The keen bracing air gives more pungency to a 
haunch of vension or brace of quail than all the sauces 
piquante ever concocted. A bunch of Spanish moss is in- 
finitely superior to a napkin, and the clear waters of some 
spring to the finger-bowl. And here a word as to water. 
Nearly all the water in East Florida is impregnated more 
or less with lime or some mineral or salt that gives it a 
“flat” taste to the uninitiated, and a drink of raw unadul- 
terated water is not always acceptable. Some people 

much that the original taste of the aqua is lost in that of 
the qualifier. That is all—a word to the wise. We advise 
a plain mode of living. Take hard-bread, ‘‘self-raising 
flour,” pork, salt, potatoes, brown sugar, rice or harmony, 
Borden’s condensed milk and coffee, a little jelly for ven- 
ison, butter, pepper and mustard. Venison, fish and game 
birds may be on the bill of fare every day, but again they 
may not. Noone should start down the river depending 
upon a supply, as the game is regulated and controlled by a 
multitude of laws that the visitor knows nothing about. 
Preserved fruits, meats, etc., are not necessary, though some - 
times found acceptable—they don’t stay in camp long. 
Regarding cooking utensils, if cooking is to be done in the 
usual way over an open fire, they should bea ‘“‘bake kettle” 
or oven, a foot diameter; frying-pan, same dimensions, 
with a long handle; tin plates, plated knives and forks, 
pint tin-cups, iron or tin spoons, and butcher knife, A 
regular camp kit is preferable, however. [If a stove is pre- 
ferred, go to the tin-smith’s and have him make a sheet- 
iron box, two feet long, one broad, open at’one end. The 
door a sheet of iron, to slide in a groove, perpendicularly, 
acting as draught regulator. The legs should be flat, 
fastened to the box by hinges, shutting under it when 
packed. The pipe small and in joints, to be packed in the 
stove. A piece of tin should be taken to fasten to the tent 
to run the pipe through. With such a stove, well supplied 
with ‘“‘light wood” or pitch pine, a fire can be sustained 
that will vacate the tent in short metre. If the campcr-out 
prefers to embark upon one of the many steamers that nav 
igate the St. John’s, he can reach any point available in 
East Florida. To assist hima list of prices will be given 
to the different places on the river, as they are reached ina 
sail down the stream. The steamers ‘‘City Point,’’ ‘‘Dicta- 
tor,” ‘‘Nick King,” and ‘‘Lizzie Baker” make the trips to 
Palatka, (735 miles from Jacksonville), upon arrival from 
Savannah and Charleston. ‘The ‘‘Florence,” a fine steamer, 
makes daily trips to Palatka. The “Darlington,” ‘‘Hattie” 
and ‘‘Starlight” to Enterprise, 200 miles, twice a week, 
each. The “Ocklawaha” and ‘‘Silvcr Springs” to Lake 
Harney and Salt Lake, one a week. 
ah 
HOWETOOS PORE Sip oe: 
+t 
[We are so often asked how to stuff birds that we feel we 
can do no better than to turn our inquirers after knowledge 
over toa well known taxidermist, Mr. J. H. Batty, who will 
supplement the instructions here given by others of equal 
value. We trust our readers will appreciate the kindly 
and generous motive which prompts him to overstep his 
professional line and give them free gratis, some portion 
of the knowledge which he has gathered by hard study 
and constant practice.—Eb. F. snp 5. | 
Eprror FoREsT AND STREAM :— 


Being a taxidermist, and having had a great deal of ex- 
perience in mounting all objects of natural history, I give 
the following details on bird stuffing for the benefit of the 
readers of FoREST ANDSTREAM. The first step is to secure 
the bird, Every one knows how to loada gun with alight 
charge of fine shot, and shoot a bird at a proper distance, 
so it may not be blown to pieces at afew paces away from 
the collector. Therefore, supposing the bird to be already 
cleanly killed, we will prepare it for the cabinet at once. 
When a bird is first shot a piece of cotton should be put 
down the throat to prevent the saliva from flowing out of 
the mouth and soiling the plumage. The larger birds should 
have their nostrils stopped up by means of cotton crowded 
tightly into them with some pointed instrument. When 
reaching home the bird should be prepared as follows: 
Lay it on its back, having first broken the wings close to 
the body. Makea longitudinal cut from the base of the 
breast bone (sternwm) to the vent. Taking hold of the skin 
with the thumb nail and forefinger of the left hand, push 
the flesh from the skin with the scalpel which is held in the 
right hand. The knife should not be used to cut, unless it 
be at some part of the skin that is attached to the body of 
the bird by small tendons, or ‘at the base of the tail, or 
when severing the legs, wings and head from the body. 
As the skin is removed sprinkle cori meal or sawdust 
(meal is preferable) on the flesh exposed, thus absorbing 
all moisture of the body, and preserving the plumage from 
becoming bloody. Remove the skin as far as the legs, sev- 
ering them at the knee joint, and cutting entirely through 
the flesh around the bone until the skinis bare between the 
severed leg and the body. Sever both legs alike, and when 
that is done, cut off the extremity of the body below the 
vent, thus removing the skin from the body, to which the 
tail is fastened. Proceed to remove the skin as far as the 
wings, cut those off where the bone has been broken, and 
when the wings are freed from the body, continue to skin 
down to below the eyes. 
Great caution is needed in removing the eyelids from the 
eyes and the ears from the skull without cutting them. 
The skin is now turned inside out. Cut the body free 
from the skin, severing the neck close behind the skull. 
Cut away the under part of the skull, and from the hole 
thus made remove the brains. Cut the flesh from the ler 
bone, and skin the wings from the inside of the skin down 
to the first joint, (extremity of fore arm,) removing all flesh 
and the broken bone at the second joint, where it is at- 
tached to the double bones of the wing; also cut away all 
superfluous flesh from the base of the tail, and dust the 
whole fleshy side of the skin with dry arsenic. When this 
is done crowd the eye holes in the skull full of cotton or 
tow, and tie the wing bones nearly together, and return the 
skin. Inno case should the wing bones be left untied; if 
