The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-09-08
TEXAS.
Its Plants, Birds, Insects, and Reptiles

A correspondent of the ~. Y. Observer
giving an account of his trip through Tex.
as writes as follows:
Early on fresh morning our party is
off for the river bottom, delighted with the
animal and vegetable life all around. A
botanist would notice the wild verbena, the
Texas plume, as tall as a man which no
frost can kill, bearing at its top long
loose raceme of scarlet flowers; the curious
prickly pear, now gorgeous with its vivid
yellow blossoms; the fragrant, towering
box-elder, and multitude of other plants
whose names are unknown to me; trees
with delicate foliage, from whose branch.
es depend long punches of red pods, trees
with thorns, and others interesting from
their fruit or strange appearance. Run
ming, thorny vines frequently interlace the
underbrush, rendering progress extremely
difficult. | have seen no ferns, but large
number of alge in the creeks and streams.
Even more delighted would zoologist be
with the birds; here is the home of the
cardinal, whose fame-like plumage flashes
like star in the dense foliage; of the
many-hued Mexican canary, the purple
marten, the lovely mocking bird, the red.
headed woodpecker; but most charming of
all the paradise bird" with long forked
tail opening like pair of shears. 1t is a
pretty sight to watch these birds skimming
through the air, showing the delicate pink
beneath their wings as they wheel and
chase their insect prey. High over all,
the buzzards and vultures float in the
cloudles air, the booming of the wood-pig.
con is constantly heard, the quail whistles
from every field, and on the open prairie
some chickens are found, though most of
them have flown North at this season.
Large gray and fox squirrels abound in the
timber, and their great round nests are
often seen perched at the forking of some
branch. Wild rabbits are common, and on
the soft mud near the creeks were fresh
coon tracks; deer are often shot, and, alto
gether, the amateur sportsman has his
hands full. As might be expected, insects
are plentiful. There are, however, few
rich butterflies, but hordes of small pests
to annoy and trouble you. Chegoes, VIC
ious little creatures, which dig into the
flesh, and there ensconce themselves for
feast. If the swelling caused thereby be
scratched, bad sores are the result. Little
mites and ticks, with the familiar cimex
lectularius, show that small things are not
to be despised, at least when done up in
insect form. My body would rival that
of any tattooed savage that ever stalked.
Flies cling here closer than brother, and
q long brush, slowly waved, is an indis-
pensible concomitant of peaceful meal.
You notice that all the native hunters look
carefully around when proceeding through
the long wiry grass or overgrown river
bottom. A necessary precaution for the
rattlesnake, moccasin, copperhead, water
moccasin and cotton mouth, roam at will.
This last is dangerous reptile of a dull
black, sometimes five or six feet long, with
a white mouth whence its name,-aud
lives in the water. All the above are
venomous, causing death within an hour.
The people here give whiskey, till the
patient is completely intoxicated, pretty
effectual antidote. The large black snake
which climbs trees to rob the birds, Is not
dangerous, still do not care to meet him.