Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-12-03
Curiosities of Science.
A NEW ARTICLE FOR THE LOOM.

y
made IN Mexico Of what is termed a
grass, but which seems more like a
variety of cactus, that yields fine fl
bre about equal to silk for strength.
Long, narrow leaves, clustering at
the base, or rather given off from a
compact, central stalk. away off to a
foot or two in length. These are
macerated awhile, then dried Next
they are treated under a break the
same as fax, which leaves the long
tenacious threads clean and admira-
BILE for being spun.
Mixed with Tx, cotton or wool, it
makes beautiful fabric, uncom-
monty firm. that receives any color
readily. An opinion prevails among
foreign manufacturers that this dis
cOvery may make marked revolu-
ton in trade-cheapening the price
of such goods as ladies require far
below the cost Of materials deemed
essential for their wear.
This new product grows sponta-
neousIy in great abundance.
GUM MYRRH TREE.
Such quantities of this familiar ar.
ticle are required by druggists, that
it may be interesting to those who
have not studied a dispensatory to
to know about its origin.
Besides being found at various
points 10 Arabia, two species of mi
mosa flourish in Abyssinia, from
which myrrh is collected. Ordinarily
the tree resembles the hawthorn,
though small and burly, bearing a
small red cherry. The negroes
bruise the bark with a stone, and
from the confused surface juice oozes
out which, by exposure to light and
absorbing oxygen from the atmos>
phere, becomes the compact brittle,
odorous gum, extensively known in
commerce. But to get it to market
is no easy enterprise. Being collect
ed principally in July and August in
skins, and by wandering merchants
transported on camels to Berberah,
from there it goes both to India and
Arabian ports, and after many voya--
ges reaches Europe, from whence it
Is again distributed over Christen-
dom. After all, its medicinal virtues
are unimportant, although held in es.
timation for imaginary virtues.
LANGUAGE OF ANIMALS.
Certainly all animals have a mode
of expressing their feelings to others
of the same species. Wolves arrange
attacks, hunting together in packs.
They are all animated by the same
thought. and therefore travel with
energy for hours to accomplish de.
sign of which each member of the en-.
terprise has rational understanding
Deer and butfaloes act in concert in
regard to seeking food or water
Perhaps the government of wild nor.
ses, through signs which any horse
in group Of hundreds instantly rec
oghizes as an imperative command
OF one individual, who prances up
and down the line like one 10 author.
ity, is about as perfect and as mystic.
rious as anything in natural history
Birds and dogs are exceedingly soci-
able, enjoying the society of their
kith and kin as much as country
cousins when they visit city rela-
tives. Rats and mice, too, and even
insects, are supposed to have the fac.
ulty of communicating their wishes
and opinions to each other.
PEAR TREES.
Next to the apple, pears have been
extensively / 1Own from remote an
tiquity. The tree grows wild in Chi.
ma, Western Asia and in several
parts Of Europe. 1t was familiar to
Homer; grew in Egypt, Syria and
Greece, 10 the earliest periods Of his.
tory. Thirty~six varieties are recog-
nized in ancient Rome. PIiny says
they are heavy meat unless boiled
or baked" There must have been
some choice kinds sesteemed for the
luscious flavor, as Virgil aIludes to
specimens sent to him from Cato's
garden. A few~pears were occasion
ally on Henry Wills table, but they
appear not to have been very much
priced at that period in EogIand
At this particular time the pear is
held in high estimation and is receiv-
log the attention it merits. Califor-
MIA Outdoes all other countries in de-
veiOping that very rich nutritious
fruit. Its culture ought to be exten.
sively encouraged, because it yields
a sure crop in almost all climates
At the north it defies those destroy
Jag insect depredators that both mar
the beauty and destroy apples to the
value of millions of dollars annually
in the United States.
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