The Placer herald., 1871-01-14
NUMBER 81.

G1RAFrE.-A gentleman who came down
on the Farragut from Fort Bedford, says
the Sioux City Daily Times, gives the fol-
lowing information regarding species Of
animal hitherto unknown on this continent:
"Sir John Z. Packenham, an officer in
the English army, who has been spending
the last year on Her Majesty nothern prov
ncss, arrived at Fort Bedford with an ami
NAL of rare beauty, and never before caught
On this continent, nor has it been known
till late years that this species existed in
this country. 1t is of the same family 40
the Giraffe, or cameleopard Of Africa, and
is known to naturalists ss the Tygomolia.
They are known to inhabit the high table,
lands of Cashmere and Hindoo Rosh, but
are more frequently seen on the high peaks
of the Himilaya mountains. The animal
was taken when quite young, and is thor
oughly domestcated and follows its keep
er like dog. 1t is only four months old,
and ordinarily stands about five feet high
bu. it is capable of raising its head two feet
which makes the animal seven feet when
standing erect. 1t s Of a brown mouse
color, large projecting eyes. with slight IN
dcatons Of horns growing out. This won-
derful animal was caught near Lake Atha-
busca, on the waters Of Mex enze's River.
1t has a craw similar to the pelican by
which means it can carry subsistence for
several days. 1t WAS very feet, being able
to outstrip the fastest horses in the coun-
try. The black dapper spots on the rich
brown color made it one Of the most beau
tiful animals in existence; more beautiful
than the leopard Of Chinese jungles. Sir
John did not consider it safe to transport
his pet by water down the Mississippi river
fearing the uncertain navigation and the
great change of climate from the Manditado
to the sunny south. lie therefore wisely
concluded to 20 by way Of St. Paul, MINI.
The commander Of Fort Bedford furnishes
him an Escort for the trip. He will then
proceed through Canada to Montreal where
he will ship his charge to England.
A RAIN OF BLooD.-lhe Sulphur Springs
(Texas) Gazette contains the following most
remarkable communication from a co rreepon-
dent:
Knowing that you are not given to SEN
sationalism, take this method of giving to
the public an item, the truth Of which can
testify as an eye witness, as can also some
others living in the same neighborhood. On
last Sunday, the I'd inst, about o'clock in
the morning, some Elk miles south of ;ulphur
Springs, when not cloud was to be seen to
dim the blue vault of heaven, fell what can
but be termed a rain or shower of blood,
which lasted some eight or ten seconds Its
district was quite limited, and it fell in speck
about the size of squirrel shot, and in densi-
ty about one hundred to the size of an or
dinary plate This shower was witnessed
by Mr.. Busy and family, who were seat
ed around the breakfast table in the yard,
at the time before stated, when, upon sud
den, came pattering the drops of blood upon
the dishes, victuals and all around Mr..
Busy Immediately sent his little son after
me, whose clothes were bespattered with
blood on reaching my house. An hour
elapsed, probably, before my reaching the
vicinity, yet the leaves, grass and the table
bore the distinctly visible marks of blood.
No one in the vicinity can give any ex-
planation of this mysterious affair. leave
the matter for the scrutiny of science and
and the light of revelation.