Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-11-28
SOME PICMIES OF FACT,
Rare and Diminutive Members of the
Animal Kingdom.
Reverence Paid the Mild-Eyed Crea
ture Source of Amusement 70
Uninitiated Travellers.

In one of the geological gardens of
Europe collection of Animal Pignies was
exhibited some years ago, and, perhaps, an
assemblage of animals never attracted
more attention, especially from the young
folks.
The creatures that constitute this exhi-
bition were not dwarfs, but merely forms
that were extremely small naturally. There
was a pony that once belonged to the Gar
of Russia, and so small and cunning was
it that not few of the spectators consider
ed it a sheep, as it was about the size of
one of these animals With its fluffy
name, long hair and tail it presented a
a very comical appearance, and as for
hoofs, they were so small and delicate that
shoes had never been made to fit them,
but as the pony's life was spent on a soft
green, probably did not feel the need of
them.
DEER AS SMALL AS A CAT.
Quite as remarkable as the pony was a
deer with perfect horns that was hardly
larger than a good-sized cat, and baby
deer was so diminutive that the hat of one
of the visitors would have covered 1t. This
little creature was called the Hegoleh, and
its home was In the deep forests Of Abys
sinia near the Gambia river
Another equally small deer, called the
Delo, was Of a rich fawn color, with white
flank sand black ankles, and most express
sive and intelligent face The males only
had horns, delicate little objects, of little
or no use as a defense. The females had,
instead, a curious bunch of hair upon the
head that met at point and seemed to re-
semble the top of peaked night-cap,
One of the most interesting animals of
this wonderful collection, was aIittle form
not ever two feet high, with coat of soft
gray colors, great lustrus brown eyes, and
bearing upon its back a hump. Ia fact,
it was an exact copy, except as to size, of
the famous sacred bull of India, being very
closely related to the animal that is still so
revered in many parts of the Eastern
country.
This little animal is of special interest, as
but one has been brought to this country,
and they are so rare that they have never
figured IN natural history. The sacred ami
mails are called Brahman bulls In the East,
and attention paid to their wants by the
natives Is Il course of establishment to all
foreigners.
THE SACRED BULL.
The sacred animal wanders through the
streets of the great cities, receiving homage
wherever it goes. IF it meets native car
rage or cart In narrow street the vehicle
IS carefully pulled to one side that the
animal may not be disturbed, and if the
mild-eyed creature should thrust its head
into the carriage window it would be a
piece of good fortune to the driver, while
the European occupant would probably OBJ
iect
The actions Of these animals are extreme
ly amusing. They wander slowly along
nibbling, from the various stands that line
the streets, helping themselves to goods of
fered for sale, winking and blinking laz-
lily their great brown eyes, we'll knowing,
perhaps, that they are free from all objection
on the part Of the owners. Sometimes thew
stray into houses and lie down in front of
doors, and until they chose to move, the
inmates cannot pass out, as it would be
sacrllege to step over the sacred animal.
AN UNLIMITED ROOMMATE.
A naturalist, travelling in India one night
came to a small town that offered so many
inducements that he decided to remain for
several days. SuCh thing as an inn was
unknown, but he finally obtained lodging
In private house with man of the better
class, who was quite we'll otf-that is, he
owned his house and land and several cat
tie
The room occupied by the traveller was
what would have been considered the hal!
of an ordinary house and not very private
to say the least A mat in the corner con
stituted his bed. but it was better than the
jungle and he was very glad to get it
He retired quite late and had been
asleep for an hour or so when he was
awakened by a elanking, as if horse was
coming into the house. Louder it grew,
and hastily striking light the traveller
saw a sacred bull slowly coming along the
hall. 1t approached to within a few feet
of him, and after shifting around laid
down and was soon fast asleep. The next
morning the owner of the house seemed
to think the Traveller had been much favored
in having so sacred roommate.
These animals are found not only in
India, but are more or less common in
Persia, Arabia and even Africa, whefe
they are known as the zebra, the name
applying to several species, ranging from
large to small. In some localities they are
used as beasts of burden, as we use oxen
here but generally they lead a life of luxury.
waited on and tended by the superstitious
natives.