The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-04-25
ARTS, SCIENCES, ETC.

Ears of Anfnals.-Amongt the mammalia,
the formation of the ear varies, In many
cases, according TO the habits and peculiar
nature of the animal. The portion of the
ear of the male assigned for the cognizance
of sounds passing in the air is less perfect
than that which, deeper seated, receives
the impression of any sound or ylbratIon
when diving, to fold it's ears back on its
head and the water flaps close the orifice
in the same manner that many diving and
burrowing animals are furnished with flaps
to the nose, by which they close the en-
trance to all Injurious bodies. The hip
popotamus remains for heightened periods
beneath the surface of the water, and is
provided with a yalve-like apparatus.
Hares and Tabits, which squat close to the
ground, and which might be more readily
discovered were any projecting part of their
body visible, fold their ears flat backward.
In all, this sense is remarkably keen and
with horses it is only exceeded by. that of
the smell. They hear. sounds and are
restless long before the, rider can perceive
an animal, or human being in the distance.
The carrier-horses in Switzerland hear the
fall of an avalanch, and warn their masters
of the danger by their terror, and refuse to
advance, even turning in an opposite
direction The acute sensibility of this
organ is somewhat INSTRUCTED by Eushy
hairs which grow in the outer sheath, and
horse dealers cut them from horses they
Asa fer sale, in order sounds striking
the nerves -witfhgre nterforce-In ayTTb5Eex-
citing the animal, give them a more lively
appearances. The Hight of the owl is per-
fectly -noiseless and its ear, equally
acute, detects the slightest humming of an
insect at a distance of several feet.
Moths tn, Color Shops.-In some places
moths infest shops Where paints aud oils
are sold. A good remedy is to set pieces
of camphor, or saucers filed with turpen-
tine, about the premises. Camphor water,
sprinkled regularly, would also greatly
help. The loss is dear, and the remedy
cheap.
Hasheesh or hdShish, as the Orientals call
it, has long been an important article of
Eastern commerce, and more than one
brilliant pen has described its magical
eff cts upon the imagination. The tenn
porary extacies 1T has communicated to
millions ~of poor mortals have been a
thousandfold counterbalanced by the
prostitution, mental and physical, that in
evitably follows the practiceiof using it.
AS the Chinese government strove desper-
ately at one time to check the importation
of opium, so does the Vicefoy now prohibit
the use of haSheeSh under the severest
penalties. He isa- sensible and progressive
prince.
h Point Lace. - Who devised it, The
Italians claim that they derived the art
from Greek refugees escaping the disorders
of the Lower Empire. The Spaniards
again trace it to the Moors of Grenada. A
graceful legend gives it a still more romantic
origin. When Venice was still in her pride
of maritime supremacy, q Venetian tar
brought home a bunch of coral-line sea-
weed, of che kind known as "Mermaid's
lace, y to his betrothed. The latter was a
lace worker, and was so pleased with the
exquisite beauty of the plant, that she
tried hard to initiate it with thread, and,
at last, succeeded in producing the beanti-
full qatpure, which has since held so exalted
q place in the repertory of elegance and
fashion.