Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-12-05

as they are not generally aware of the fac
that they are required to report to the Asses
sor monthly the number of cattle, hogs, sheer
and calves slaughtered by them and to pay :
tax thereon. He also gives notice to thu
owners of Injuries in the shape of buggies
&C., worth over seventy-fve dollars, and al
silver ware and plate over forty ounces, to re-
port the articles, so they may be properly
taxed.
AQuEER "B1RD."- Jacob Compton, Esq,
of this city, has come into possession Of an
animal, (reptile or insect,) which is consider
able of curiosity in its way. 1t is about 5
inches long, and shaped like common lizard.
Its skin is nearly like that Of catfish, its
head, also, bearing slight resemblance to
that species of fish. 1t has four feet, which
are shaped somewhat like the human hand.
Its natural element seems to be water. 1t
may be seen at Mr. Compton's store, where it
is kept in jar of water, and is doing Gas
well as could be expected under the circum-
stances
HEALTHY. - The hospital at Camp Strong
contains at the present time only two patients
one of whom is confined with broken leg,
the other with the measles. If there is any
other regiment in the service that can show a
less amount of sickness in its ranks than this
we should be glad to hear from it. The Gray
Beard regiment has proved itself able to en-
dure the fatigues and privations Of camp life,
as well, and indeed better, than those COM
posed of young men. Their present expert
ence on the "Island" we take as rather a
severe test, the situation and the condition Of
things there being, in view of the winter sea-
son, not in all respects such as the health and
absolute comfort Of any regiment would seem
to require.
CONCERNING LAND.-A big rush for the
West, the coming Spring, is confidently look.
ed for, equal, probably, to the best days Of
''ffty-four" and ''five." The majority Of
these emigrsnts will be good substantial far
mers, seeking home on our fertile prairies,
of which they have heard such marvellous
stories. These men, or the majority of them,
will, at least, seek for lands at the hands Of
persons, who devote their entire attention to
the buying and selling of land. The Oldest,
and in fact the only firm in our city, the
members Of which give their entire attention
to this business, is that of G. G. Hayes &
Bro, whose advertisement may be found in
another column. They established an office
i'm this city for the purpose of buying and
selling lands about eight years since, in
which time they have been the channel
through which large quantities Of lands
have changed owners. They have, of course,
posted themselves up in tho meantime, and
are well acquainted with the flaming lands
of this county. Persons having any bust
ness to transact of this nature can leave it in
no better or moro competent hands.
The REVENUE Commissioner
Boutwell, announces that on and after the LIST
of December, the use of nine varieties Of
stamps will be compulsory, under the
penalty prescribed by law. They are
as follows: Playing cards, proprietary
express, telegraph, insurance, life assurance
fire and marine, passage tickets and protest
The stamps, in sufficient quantities for use
east of the Rocky Mountains, are ready fo1
distribution. @ --'
The provision in relation to the affxing Of
stamps states that on and after October LIST
(extended to January 1sD all instruments
documents or paper of any description what
soever should be duly stamped by the maker
of the instrument, who shall also cancel thu
stamp by writing his initials thereon. Any
person making such instrument, without at
fixing the proper stamp, shall be liable to .
fine Of $50, and such instrument or pape
shall be deemed invalid. The receiving of I
.non-stamped paper is violation of law, as is
also the attaching and canceling stamp OF
such paper by the person receiving it, and tn
cancellation of stamp by any, othe
than the maker of the instrument, is equal.
improper. The stamps on bank checks at
tach only to checks amounting to twenty dol
lars aud upwards. There has been no stamp
of any description, with the exception
Of stamps for bank checks, (Which wer
brought on by our bankers, of whom the.
may be procured brought to this city. W
would therefore advise those Of our citizen
who are obliged to use the above describes
papers to Immediately send for them. 81
The FEcuNDITY OF WEiDs.-It is calcula
ted that single pig weed, if left undisturbed
will ripen more than 10000 seeds, each capa
bic Of producing successor. The seeds Q
the dock sometimes number over IL, 900 on
plant, and toad fax leaves provision 1>'r NOR
than Al, 900 plants the following year. Bur
dock will multiply $1,000 fold, and the CT
mon singing nettle ripens 10000 seeds
Scarcely weed comes to maturity withou
scattering from 1000 or more seeds, to injur
crops and annoy the cultivator.
lAr Hoxs.ADr. G. o. Waters arrived at hi
home yesterday from Cairo and below, wher