The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-06-17
Our Olio.
In a Circus Menagerie.

Colonel Arstingstall is the only person,
at least in this country, who has been able
to breed elephants in captivity. He has
spent half his life among them, and is ia
miliar with their habits and peculiarities
The Indian and the Asiatic elephants are
preferred by showmen on account of their
superior intelligence. The African ele-
phant is larger, but not so knowing. An
unframed elephant at the age of 2S or 30
is worth $4,000, and a performing ele-
phant $4,000. Elephants learn more
readily when Is or 20 years old than at
any other period of their lives. Col. Ars-
tingstall said that in "a hours he could
teach o. to do any trick that it was posi-
bic fer it to do, even to standing on Its
head. A block and pulley is generally
used. The elephant is pulled up into the
position that it is desired to assume, and
the word of command is given as though
the animal were doing the trick of its own
accord. After this operation is repeated a
few times the elephant will execute the
act at the proper signal. Columbus, the
first baby elephant born in this country,
now years old, went to school last Win
ter, and proved an apt scholar. She takes
the part of clown in the performance.
She sits at a table, uses napkin, fans her
self, and does dozen little things that
make the children, and their elders too,
adore her. When the tricks are first
taught the elephants like to do them, and
will often 90 through performance Of
their own volition. But after the novelty
wears off they regard them as work, and
are inclined to shirk. When they rebel
they must be soundly fogged, and after
that viii not refuse TO perform their parts.
Elephants viii not submit TO abuse. 1t is
necessary to treat them well, but at the
same time it Is imperative that they should
understand that they must mind their
master. One would hardly think that ele-
plants could be insulted, but they can.
They are extremely sensitive and resent
indisnities. If they become attached to a
person their affection Is warm ard lasting.
They often form deep attachments for dogs,
horses. canels, and other animals
The regular rations ofan elephant consist
Of 125 pounds of hay, two bushels of grain,
and barrel Of water day. Potatoes they
are particularly fond of. If there IS one
thing more than another that elephants
like TO do. il Is take bath In the water
they are like a lot of school boys. They
dive. roll over, splash, and indulge In
every sort Of eaper. A bath contributes
to their good health, and when travelling
they are given every possible opportunity
70 bathe. When asleep they lie on then
sides, generally ON the right. They snore
vigorously and can often be heard a long
distance.
Each year the menagerie has increased
in size. until the finest geological gardens
are exeelled By travelling shows. The
people crowd about the cages of the snarl-
my. aesh-eating brutes, and stand and
watch the more doeile hay animals with
deep interest. The lion ranks next to tbs
elephant as show animal. The African
hon Is preferred 10 the Asiatie on account
of It's greater size, superior intelligence anc
finer appearance. The male Of the formel
i grand-lcoking btast, with his lons
name and noble head. The value Of |
male hon is about $1,000, and Of fe
male about 81 900. The widest anima
can be sabdued in week OF 50, as in th'
case Of the elephant, one just from th'
Jungle i As easy to train as If born IL
captivity. To 70 into den Of hons II
fear and trembling, would ordinarily be !
nash act. When Van Amburgh used t
put his head in the hons mouth in tn
earlier DAYS il was considered q wonderful
and foOlhardy thing. but people have be
come accustomed TO the sight and do no
marvel a. much as they did. At one tim
a single hon was all that the largest me
nacerie boasted al, and il il died on th'
tour il was stuffed and set up in the Gag
10 look as nearly life-like as possible. Be
fore entering town il was Van Amburghi
practice TO rube himself in his trapping
and seat himself On top of gorgeous ear
with his hon cronching at his feet. Peo
ple who saw the beast would either thinl
! il was dead one, or would be nearl!
(, frightened out Of their wits by the though
that il might escape and get among them
Until hon reaches the age Of four year
no attempt Is made TO train il, as IL nigh
be broken down.
The royal Bengal tiger IS a noble animal
and a circus in these times could scarcel.
do without one. The male is difficult t
obtain at any price, and fine specimen
Is worth easily $500. The female
much less valuable. OF late years tn
tiger has been trained, and man in span
eles goes into his den and electrihes th
crowds by his daring. Leopards have hike
wise been taught to jump over q stick an
do several other tricks that the average do
does. They are quite mild-mannered and
easy 10 train. When sleeping they he wit
their legs doubled up under them and thel
heads stretched out ike dogs, while liol
lies on its side. and tiger on its side
back as best pleases it. The black leopar
is more valuable than the spotted becaus
of its scarcity, and costs about 5000. Tn
ghoul Of the animal kingdom, the hyena
appears now in cage performance. Hyena
are Of two kinds-the striped and tn
spotttd. The former is the most expen
siiye. and is rated at $500. The latter
worth 5000. They have to be watche
yery closely by the man who goes anon
them. as they viii set their fangs into n
legs as sure as he turns his back upon thel
and gives them chance. The cost OF
South American panther is from SlOO
5000. A male is worth about twice
much as a female. The panther is not di
6eult to train, but is treacherous. Se'
lions seem to have no other qualification
than their ability to bark, or rather to eroa
most dismally. No end of them are caugi
within sight of San Francisco, Cal, so the
are not costly. The prices range at $40
to 5000. They viii live in water of ord
nary temperature, and it is not difficult
, take care of them. They are vicious, an
care more to bite at the hand of the pc
SON who feeds them than they do at Il
: fish he offers them Seals, whose habi
, are about the same, cost from $500
! to s400. The polar bear has been reduce
to the rank of a performing animal.
win eat anything but hay, and will con
out of the water any time for a piece
E bread. A polar bear is worth 81 90
E Black bears can be bought in any numb
, for sl0O each. The poonah bear, fro
Hindustan, with its long, shaggy hair,
e accorded a place in the menagerie. 1t 81