Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-04-02

LIVING GUNS.



show you the latest thing in dynamite. .
The latter was on hand at the time ap-
pointed and found around d table doz-
en- Or more faces more or less familiar in
the world Of biology. In the centre Of
the table were number Of boxes Of vari-
GUS sizes, dish containing substance
that looked suspiciously like water, and
several other articles Of an innocent and
unexplosive character.
Speaking about dynamite, Y said
naturalist, HIhave brought few speci-
mems to illustrate that feature in low life,
as their are dynamiters in the lowest ami
NAL kingdom, as well as in the higher,
and, curiously enough, VIC might say the
same Of the vegetable kingdom. Ire
member few years ago I was travelling
on small vessel between some of the
West India islands, and at one place had
purchased number Of curious seeds,
placing them under nv berth for safe
keeping. was sitting at the small
table, hanging on with both hands, in
company with negro passenger, when
there came an explosion that sounded as
if barrel Of powder had gone off.
Something whizzed BY my face SO closely
that / felt the wind, and another pro-
jectile struck me full in the breast. The
negro was not SO fortunate. He uttered
luud yella the sound came, threw
up his hands, and with blood squirting
from his face, he went over backward
with crash that brought the skipper
and the crew down the hatch in hurry.
We picked him up, and first he swore
that had shot him, and then that had
hit him with club; but in moment
he recovered from his fright, and we
began to investigate.
s'The man had been struck fairly in
the nose-a blow so powerful that it was
several hours before the hemorrhage
could be stopped. When rose from
my sea. something dropped upon the
cabin floor, and afterward picked
it up, and what do you suppose il was2
Nothing but section Of one Of the
seeds, and they were the explosives.
The heat Of the cabin had in some way
affected them 50 that they went of like
cartridges, and as each was made up Of
several pieces it had somewhat the eff
feet Of grape-shot. One struck
the negro as related, another missed
my head and shattered looking glass
behind me, another struck me in the
chest, while still another curiously
enough, took off the handle Of a pitcher
OF monkey cooler that stood on the
table. -Four Of the seeds didn't 90 off,
and you may be sure l put them in a
strong box. A number of seeds, - con-
tinued the speaker, have similar habit
Of exploding, and it is generally pro
vision connected with the dispersal Of
seeds. In the West / Have seen trees ex-
plode with q report that could be heard
nearly mile; in this case the frost was
the cause There certain insects bore
great holes in the bark of trees, rain
finds its way in and freezes and away
goes the tree as if you had placed tor
pedo in it, showing what the expansive
power Of water will do.
speaking of insects, said the host,
reminds me that have a dynamiter
here for exhibition whenever you gentle
men are ready All were ready and the
table were cleared of the boxes except
one, which was placed in the center.
II propose, gentlemen, 7 said the
dynamite fend, ITO show not only
an explosive insect, but the ef-
feet Of the explosion on others
who might possibly be enemies y
Upon this he lifted slide that was at
tached to the box, and Immediately there
appeared several medium sized, sprightly
beetles that started off around the table
in an active go-as-you-p please race. Amin
closure was formed Of books and all the
beetles removed but one and then beetle |
of a different species was introduced, {
wild, untamed fellow, that ran over the
other at headlong speed The smaller
beetle at first did not seem to notice this
treatment, but finally, when it was fairly
knocked over, it seemed to prepare itself
to resent further attacks It raised itself
high upon its legs, shook its wing covers
neryously, and, as the larger insect came
around the ring on dead run, it turned
suddenly, unlimbered itself. so to speak,
and, as the enemy approached, an audi
bic report was heard, cloud for d mo-
ment hung in the air, and the large beetle
fell sprawling in its tracks, and with
spasmOdic struggles endeavored to back
away from the living cannon.
The latter still retained its offensive
position, and upon being touched with q
pencil again elected, twice in quick cue
cession, volatile fluid that gave out
decided pungent odor that was evidently
suffocating to tho larger beetle. IA mouse
was now introduced, and as it ran BY the
dynamite insect it received discharge
that caused It to squeal with pain, and
with 4 convulsive action II reared itself
upon its hind legs, and for few seconds
ef.f1fyoriof7 oa II IN 81 4 l5s+4o- -