The Red Cloud chief., 1879-06-26


beasts reared in our own midst than any
subjec: of interest to the public. II
horses, cows, colts and calves have a
market value. so have tigers, lions and
their young, for Of the latter maay are
born in the United States every year.
During the pas: five years no less
than IL little lions have seen the ligh,
Of day, though only six reached years
Of maturity.
The details of their nursing are pecu-
liar. The lioness is not approached I'M
til the cubs are fully three or four months
old. They are then, by means of STRAIT
egy, separated, and weaving com
menced. A quart of milk, together with
nice, homeless, juicy outlets and titbits
are given them daily until the seventh
month, which is the critical period of
cubs. If they get Owe that, they stand
q fair chance Of living a long time,
though the period of tooth shedding,
which generally occurs at II months, is
attended with danger.
1t is q known fact that lions attached
to travelling vans. under proper care,
are the most healthy and lively, and
thrive better than those in geological
gardens. In this country a lion has
been exhibited 50 years, and as far rs
could be judged was ID years old when
captured; SO that he certainly was over
so when he died. In eight out of ten
cases congestion of the lungs carries
them of.
The amount of food given a lion is
less than n would suppose. IS pounds
of beef q day, with bones ad hbaum, be-
ing a fair allowance. When fed regu-
larry they show little disposition to giut
themselves, and will rarely exceed ID
pounds, v though a chance be given
them. The greatest of care is exercised
in keeping their cages clean, as they
are constantly shedding their hair. an
accumulation of which adhering to their
food, and being swallowed, makes them
sick.
The largest number of these animals
are imported from the French province
of Algeria. There is no affection in a
lion; he knows his keeper and fears
him, and will obey him, bot there is no
affection between them. The value of
lions is varied, though a good pair will
readily bring $4,000, and the demand is
constant. Rare animals are sought az
ter constantly by the various geological
institutions and menagerie owners, and
in many instances they have paid
fabulous prices for the more rare species.
Tigers command about the same price
as lions, but are comparatively scarce
and not so popular as the lions.
Elephants always find q ready mar
ket, two or three being imported yearly
into this country, and sell without trOu-
BILE at $4,000 to $4,000. Even a dead
elephant will find a ready buyer at from
800 to $500. The African specimens
are the finest, being twice the size of
their Indian brothers.
Giraffes are exceedingly rare in the
the United States, in nearly every case
being able only to make the voyage from
the Cape to England or the continent.
The voyage to this country enfeebles
them so that many die during the trip
or Immediately after landing here. The
least cold sensibly hurts them. They
are dainty feeders and much given to
consuming cabbages. They are valued
at from $4,000 to &c., 900 a pair.
The rhinOceros and hippopotamus
market is always an active one, as very
few have ever reached this country alive.
The bath of the latter renders his trans
p%OrtatiOn almost impossible.
The South American monkey is al
ways in demand, while those of Africa
are a drug on the market, they being
dull and lazy and easily caught. The
methods of catching them are numerous.
In South America the natives fill gourds
with rum, which the monkeys drink,
and becoming totally unconscious under
its effects are easily taken. In Africa
wooden vessels are used, into which they
thrust their hands and can not remove
them. They range in value all the way
from 81 up to $500.
Africa is the great stock farm for ami
mails. The Beers, q hundred or two
miles above the cape, are constantly
catching animals, and find a ready mar
ket at Cape Town for them.
Stories of animals aud animal catchers
are numerous aud marvellous, but many
of them are so tainted with exaggeration
that it is asking too much Of common
sense readers TO wade through them
Hnyffnnf Ear0nf