The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-10-11
WILD ANIMALS.

Abbabl1 h0oo N huOHu VI ttt GAlcnl.
value and number Of rare and valuable
beasts reared in our midst than any sub
ject of interest to the public. If horses,
cows, colts and calves have a market
value, so have tigers, lions apd their young,
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 years Of ma.
turity.
The details Of their nursing are peeu-
liar The lioness is not approached until
the cubs are fully three or four months
old. They are then, by means of strate-
gy, separated, and weaniDg commenced.
A quart Of milk, together with nice, bone
less, juicy outlets and titbits are given
them daily until the seventh month, which
is the critical period of cubs. If they get
over that they stand fair chance of living
long time, though the period of tooth
shedding, which generally occurs at twelve
months, is attended with danger.
II is known fact that lions attached 10
travelling vans, under proper care, are the
most healthy aud lively, and thrive better
than those in geological gardens. In this
country lion has been exhibited thirty.
five years, and as far as could be Judged
was fifteen years old when captured; 50
that he certainly was over fifty when he
died. In eight out of ten cases conges.
tion cf the lungs carried them of.
The amount Of food given lion is less
than one would suppose, thirteen pounds
Of beef day, with bones ad libitum, being
fair allowance. When fed regularly
they show little disposition to glut them
selves, and will rarely exceed fifteer
pounds, even though o chance be giyer
them. The greatest care Is exercised in
keeping the cages clean, as they are con.
stantly shedding their hair, an sccumula
tion Of which adhering to their food, anC
being swallowed, makes them sick.
The largest number Of these ANIMAL
are imported from the French province Of
Algeria. There is no affection in lion
he knows his keeper and fears him, anC
will obey him, but there is no affection be
tween them. The value of lions is varied
though a good pair will readily brin,
$4,000, and the demand is constant
Rare animals are sought after constantly
by the various geological institutions am
menagerie owners, and in many instance
they having paid fabulous prices for th
more rare species. Tigers command abou
the same price as lions, but are compare
lively scarce, and not so popular as lioni
Elephants always find ready market
two or three being imported yearly int
this country, aud sell without trouble q
$4,000 to $4,000. Even dead elephar
will find ready buyer at from slO0 /
5000. The African specimens are Ii
finest, being twice the size of their India
brother.
Giraffes are exceedingly rare in the Tn
ted States, in nearly every case being alb
only to make the voyage from the Car
to England or the Continent. The vo
age to this country enfeebles them SO thi
many die during the trip or immediate
after landing here. The least cold sens
T bly, hurts them. They are dainty feedeI
) and much given to consuming cabbage
! They are valued at from SO, 900 To $40, ,0C
pair.
: The rhinocerous and hippopotam
I market is alway an active one, as We
few have reached this country aliy
) The bath of the latter renders his tran
) portation almost impossible.
/ The South American monkey is alwa
in demand, while those Of Africa are
drug, they being dull, lazy and easi
caught. The method of catching them
numerous. ln South America the nativ
, fill the gourds with rum, which the mo
keys drink, aud becoming totally uneo
/ scious under its effects, are easily take
In Africa wooden vessels are used, in
r which they thrust their hands and cam
r remove them. They range in value 1
the way from 81 up to $4,000.
Africa Is the great stock farm for an
mails. The Beers, hundred or two mil
above the Cape, are constantly catehii
animals, aud find ready market at Cal
Town for them. Stories Of animals al
animal catehers are numerous aud mary,
Gus, but many Of them are so tainted wi
exageration that it is asking too much
common sense readers 10 wade throul
them,