The Osceola times., 1879-05-31
WILD ANIMALS.
ssne Rasss Ceseersing Their msbits
and vaiae.

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. II
horses, cows, colts and calves have a
market value, no have tigers, lions and
their young, for ot the latter many are
born in the United States every year.
During the past Eve 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 ia 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, bone>
less, Juicy outlets and tidbits are given
them daily until the seventh month,
which is the critical period Of cubs. /
they get over that, they stand a fair
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 afIec-
tion between them. The value OF lions
is varied though good pair will readily
bring 81, 600, and the demand is constant.
Rare animals are sought after constantly
by the various geological institutions
and mensgerie owners, in many instances
they having paid fabulous prices tor the
more rare species. Tigers command about
the rame price as lions, but are CON-
paratively scarce and not 30 popular as
the lions.
Elephants always find ready market,
two or three being imported yearly into
this country, and sell without trouble at
$4,000 to $4,000. Even dead elephant
will find ready buyer at from 500 to
$500. The African specimens are the
finest, being twice the size of their
Indian brothers.
1t is a 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 lion has been exhib.
tied thirty-fve years, and, as far as could
be judged, was fifteen years old when
captured 30 that he certainly was over
fifty when he died. In eight out of ten
cases congestion of the lungs carried
them of.
The amount of food given a lion il
less than one would suppose, thirteen
pounds Of beef a day, with bones ad
libitum, being fair allowance. When
fed regularly they show little disposition
10 glut themselves, and will rarely ex'
ceed fifteen pounds, though chance be
given them. The greatest of care is ex-
ercised in keeping their cages clean, a;
they are constantly shedding their
an accumulation of which adheriDg tc
their food, and, being swallowed, makes
them sick.
Girsfes are exceedingly rare in the
United States, in nearly every case beinl
able only to make the voyage from the
cape to England OF the continent. Tn,
voyage to this country enfeebles then
no that they die during the trip or i'm
, mediately after landing here. The leas,
cold sensibly hurts them. They ar,
, dainty feeders and much given to con
, suming cabbsges They are valued a
from 1000 to $1,000 pair.
, The rhinoceros and hippopotamu
market is always an active one, as yer,
few have ever reached this country alive
The bath of the latter renders his trans
portation almost impossible.
The South American monkey is Away
In demand, while those of africa are
drug on the market, they being dull ant
lazy and easily caught. The methods o
catching them are numerous. In South
America the natives fill gourds with
rum, which the monkeys drink, and, be
coming totally unconscious under it
effects, are easily taken. In Africa
wooden vessels are used, into which they
thrust their hands and can not remoy,
them. They range in value all the WAY
from 81 up to $500
! Africa is the greatest stock farm fo
J animals. The Boers, hundred or two
miles above the cape, are constant,
J catching animals, and find a ready mar
ket in Cape Town for them.
Stories of animals and animal .cs, cher
are numerous and marvellous, but man,
of them are 30 tainted with exaggera
tion that il is asking too much of com
mon sense readers to wade througl
them.
A Garrison Romance