The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-06-05
WILD ANIMALS.
some Facts Conserving Their Hsbits
and Value.
New YORK Witness.

Probably less is known of the extent,
value and number Of rare and valuable
beasts reared in our own midst than any
subject of interest to the public. 1t
horses, COWS, colts and calves have a
market value, 80 have tigers, lions and
their young, for of the latter many are
born in the United States every year.
During the past five years no less than
seventeen little lions have seen the light
of day, though only six reached the
years of maturity.
The details of their nursing are pecu-
liar. The lioness is not approached until
the cubs are fully three or four months
old. They are then, by means of strategy,
separated, and weaving commenced. A
quart of milk, together with nice, bones
less, juicy outlets and tidbits are given
them daily until the seventh month,
which is the critical period of cubs. i
they get over that, they stand a isir
chance of living long time, though the
period of tooth-shedding, which gene-r
ally occurs at twelve months, is attended
with danger.
The largest number of these animals
are imported from the French province
of Algeria. There is no affection in the
lion he knows his keeper and fears him,
and will obey him, but there is no affec-
ton between them. The value Of lions
is varied, though a good pair will readily
bring 81, 900, and the demand is constant.
Rare animals are sought after constantly
by the various geological institutions
and rnensgerie owners, in many instances
they having paid fabulous prices for the
more rare species. Tigers command about
the same price as lions, but are COM
paratively scarce and not so popular as
| the lions.
Elephants always find ready market,
two or three being imported yearly into
this country, and sell without trouble at
5000 to $4,000. Even dead elephant
will find ready buyer at from 800 to
$500. The African specimens are the
finest, being twice the size of their
Indian brothers.
1t is known fact that lions attached
to traveling-vans, under proper care, are
the most healthy and lively, and thrive
better than those in geological gardens.
In this country lion has been exhib-
tied thirty-fve years, and, as far as could
be judged, was fifteen years old when
captured ; so that he certainly was over
fifty when he died. In eight out of teu
csses congestion of the lungs carried
them off.
The amount of food given q lion is
less than one would suppose, thirteen
pounds of beef a dsy, with bones ad
libitum, being a fair allowance. When
fed regularly they show little disposition
to glut themselves, and will rarely ex-
coed fifteen pounds, though q chance be
given them. The greatest of care is ex-
ercised 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.
Girafes are exceedingly rare in the
United States, in nearly every case being
able only to make the voyage from the
cape to England OF the continent. The
voyage to this country enteebles them
so that they die during the trip Or i'm
mediately after landing here. The least
cold sensibly hurts them. They are
dainty feeders and much given to com
Stunning cabbsges. They are valued at
from S., 900 to SO, 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
portation almost impossible.
The South American monkey is always
in demand, while those of Africa are a
drug on the market, they being duh 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, be-
coming totally unconscious under its
effects, are easily taken. In Africs,
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 greatest stock farm for
animals. The Beers, hundred or two
miles above the cape, are constantly
catching animals, and find a ready mar
ket in Cape Town for them.
Stories of animals and animsl-catchers
are numerous and marvellous, but many
of them are so tainted with exsggera-
ton that it is asking too much of com>
mon sense readers to wade through
them.
r.