Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-15
TROPIC CURIOSITIES.

A st. Paul Artist AbrOad--Visit Of VIM. ID
IlliDgwortht 10 the Bahama Islands--Msg
nificent Specimens Of Old Oceans Won
ders.
From the land of the almond and datt
tree where the RANT foliage is famed by the
hot breath of the tropics, to the SHOWS anc
mid winter billiards of the great Northwest
is big Jump. Big as the undertaking is
however, it was successfully accomplished
by Mr.. w. II. Illingworth, the well known
St. Paul photographer, who returned to this
city one day last week, after a tive months
sojourn in the Bahama Islands.
Returning last Wednesday Mr.. Illingworth
has been indisposed for the past few days,
as the sudden change from region where
the mild gulf current makes perpetual sum-
mer, to the ice-locked country of the North
west, is too radical shock for even the
strongest constitution. Having sufficiently
recovered to be con deck" at his place OF
business on Seventh street, a GLOBE reporter
dropped in on the enterprising traveller yes
terday afternoon and was entertained by
some delightful reminescere's.
Leaving st. Paul about the last of October
Mr.. nlipgworth made tour of the principal
cities of the east, visiting the noted points
of interests for the purpose of adding to the
collection of landscape and general views
which adorn his gallery. Bringing up IN
New York he embarked for the Bahamas,
where he spent most delightful and richly
remunerative visit.
That he has been most industrious tourist
in all that appeEtains to his profession as an
artist, is fully attested by the immense num-
Der of beautiful and unique specimens which
will soon be on exhibition in his window.
The specimens embrace every variety of
shells, corals and fauna, most of which were
secured from the vastly deep by his solo and
unaided effort.
The beauty and variety of the specimens
have never been equalled in this city, and 1t
is to be doubted if they are excelled, as an
individual collection, in this country.
The specimens of coral are exceedingly
rare and beautiful, and of the thirty differ
ent varieties of this article, old ocean was
made to yield a number of her choicest
treasures.
Many of the specimens are of the most
exquisite design, and the cunning of mans
handicraft would be at a loss to equal their
fine workmanship. Among the specimens
are the brain coral, an exact representation
of the skull or pericranium of man, I'LL
agreed and white as the driven snow, the
rose coral wrought into the perfect shape
of q rose, the moss and branch corals, the
latter of which is fibrous with branching
horns like the antlers of q deer.
A fine specimen of the rolling coral was
also shown, worn round by the constant
moving of the tide.
One of the most curious specimens is that
of the star fish, with fine studded points in
the exact shape of a star. When moving in
the ocean by night this fish is said to pre-
sent most beautiful and eifulgent appear
auce and associated with its appearance
many strange legends are told by the wave
tossed mariner.
The collection is rich in rare specimens of
golden-hued sea fans, and sea feathers of
royal purple, which fast lose their exquisite
colors when brought on shore.
The reporter was shown number of sea
eggs, white and perfect as chiseled alabaster.
Mr.. nlingworth also secured variety of
sponge specimens, the vegetable order of
which are foreign to anything ever seen in
this city.
The richest treasures, and certainly the
most beautiful of the collection, are variety
of shells, the exquisite tints of which COM
bine all the colors of the Iris. In speaking
of the wonders of the deep, as seen through
many fathoms of water, clear as crystal, Mr..
Illingworth became enthusiastic, and one
could easily imagine how the brilliant fancy
of Jules Verne was Ienabled to picture such
rich and glowing imagery.
The chief object of his visit to the Bahia
ma was to secure landscape views of the
scenery, of which he has collected fine
variety, the negatives of which will soon be
ready for exhibition at his gallery on Seventh
street.