Morning journal and courier., 1880-02-18
Gophers of the Various Kinds.


 A gentleman from one of the Northern States, who has recently made tour of the South, refers to the fact that the name ssgopher" is in some sections applied to 8 small animal, and in others to a turtle. He might have gone still further in his investiga- tions, and discovered that the title is also ap- piled to snake. The name gopher was, according to standard authority on the subject, originally bestowed by French settlers upon many burrowing animals from their honey-combing the earth. In Canada and Illinois the name was given to gray burrowing squirrel; west of the Mississippi and in Wisconsin, to a striped squirrel. In Missouri common species is pouched rat of 8 reddish chestnut-brown color, with broad, mole like feet, while in Georgia snake is called by the same name, and in Florida turtle. The last named, which is particularly alluded to by the gentleman above mentioned, and which may be chased as Iestudo EOly- pbenaus is one of the peculiar institutions of the far-famed Hand of flowers" and has prob- ably kept starvation away from many worthy as well as unworthy mans door. Its flesh, in many respects, is similar to that of the reptile known in other sections as the "mud-turtle." The gopher is, however, rarely found in the vicinity of water-courses, seeming to prefer the high and dry sandy ridges as place or abode. Here it scoops out hole in the earth after the manner of the muskrat and other borrowing animals, from which it peri
 
 sisting mainly of the wild grasses and roots of the forest. The gopher is harmless and in- offensive creature and relies solely on it's shell for protection. When alarmed, it draws in its head and legs so that the horny exteriors of it's fore-fipperS present 8 formidable bar rier against the assaults of it's foes. Thus drawn in, these forefeet completely close up the opening from which the head and neck are protruded while in Iocomotion, and were it not for the short, saw-ike tail, one would be considerably puzzled to ascertain which way 1t was heading when interrupted. The gopher is 8 neighborly creature, and, we are sorry to record by no means particular in the selection of it's associates. Thus, it's burrow is made head quarters by variety of reptiles and animals, with whom it seems to be on terms of close familiarity. Rattlesnakes, lizards, Ikc, are it's constant guests, although one is likely to infer that it shuts itself up in it's case when the more venomous of it's visitors are around. The flesh of the gopher is greatly relished by the people of the country wherein it is found, and genuine !" Cracker will seldom leave home without having provided him. self with sack in which to transport this along with any other 'sgame" he may succeed in capturing. The gopher may frequently be found wandering about through the pine for ests in search of food but the usual method of capturing it is to dig hole in the ground immediately in front of its burrow, in which is placed an empty box or barrel, and into which the gopher is unceremoniously precipi- tated when he sallies forth. After capture the next thing in course is to behead it, which will be found difficult operation to the unini- tiated. In fact it requires very quick and accurate blow to chop of the head of agopher when protruded, and therefore the usual cus- tom is to split the shell open while the crea- ture is alive.