The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-05-16
on X BOYS.
A Novel use FOR FOXES

j. Macdonald Oxley, In Harper's Young People.
Many Of the readers of this periodical
have no doubt, some knowledge of Sable
Island, that long low bank Of sand which
lifts itself above the waves about ninety
miles eaatward from Nova Scotia. They
have heard Of the harm that 1t is done. and
indeed is till doing, to those who Ego down
to the sea in ships and do business upon the
great waters;" of the appalling number of
wrecks which have happened upon its bars
and banks Of sand, that seem to hold vessels
coming within.their reach with a grip like
that of the deyilish.
But perhaps they do not know what an
interesting place Sable Island is, and how
big book might be written concer ming the
creatures that from time to time have been
connected with it In one way or another.
Horses, cattle, dogs. cats, rats, seals, walrus,
owls. and other wearers of fur or feather
have played their part upon this wild weird
stage, and their are stories worth telling
about each. In this present article, how
ever. 1 shall conine myself to the rabbits
and foxes.
The rabbits were introduced about ninety
years ago, for the benefit Of the staff
stationed upon the island to render assist
ance in cases Of shipwreck. They thrived
| greatly for time, but, oddly enough, were
| twice exterminated. and in ways that think
| might safely challenge the very brightest of
my readers TO guess. The first instrument
of destruction was the large gray Norway
| rat, which was cast away upon the island,
and multiplied indefinitely; and the second,
| the large grey artic owl. which, CHANGING to
| find out this rabbit-warren In mid ocean,
| visited 1t In snch focks that poor Bunny was
| temporarily wiped out.
| For the third time the island was stocked,
| and now a remarkable thing has happened.
| No rats are suffered to exist there, the owls
| have not returned, and thus freed from his
hungry prosecutors, Brer Rabbit has waxed
| fruitful and multiplied, until his numbers
| are beyond the enumeration Of the most ex-
| pert census taker. Although, when viewed
uttely barren mass of gray!sh-brown sand,
incapable of sustaining any form Of animal
| life, this Is not really the case. Within the
line Of dunes built up by the restless waves
only to be beaten down again at their pleas
| ure there is a wealth of verdure that it is a
| great surprise to the visitor. The interior of
the island Is valley, with a lake eight miles
| In length in the centre, and little ponds, dot
| ted here and there with dense rank grass,
ana breed
valley there Is luxuriant grass interpersed
| with the wild pea, and In their season one
| may gather wild roses, lilies, asters, straw
berries, blueberries, and cranberries in
abundance.
| Bere, then, was an ideal home for Brer
Rabbit, and no wonder his tribe increased,
unit ! he became positive nuisance that de-
manded prompt abatement. In fact, little
Sable Island was threatned with the same
| fate as that which now overhaugs a portion
| of the vast island continent Of Australia. In
time there would be no green thing left for
| the sustenance OF the ponies and cattle be-
| longing TO the staff.
In this emergency the fox is brought for
| ward as solution Of the difficulty. The
| Superintendent Of the Humane Establish
ment has determined to press Reynard into
| his services, and number of the red-furred,
bushy-tailed family are to be imported, and
| let loose to wage a war of determination
upon poor Bunny. Verify there will be high
times on the island when this takes place, as
It will very shorty, and the result will be
looked for with lively. interest. Whether
them and give the rabbits as short shift as
/ possible, or weather, realizing that when
their job Is finished they will be made away
with IN their turn, they will enter into an ar
| only the natural increase Of their population,
and thus prolong the task indefinitely, who
Will venture to prophecy?
This however, may perhaps be said by
way of winding up. that since Sampson
awaited himself Of foxes for the purpose Of
| destroying the Philistines' grain, there has
been no striking example Of the vulpine
| race being pressed into the service of man
than this recent one at Sable island.
An Experiment Showing the Rotation
Of the Earth.
When next you chance to eat an egg you
can easily make an experiment, which is
not only productive of much amusement,
but also illustrates in manner so clear and
nipple that even child can comprehend 1t,
the double movement Of the earth, which re-
wolves simultaneously around the sun and
on its own axis.
Moisten slightly with water the rim of
your plate and In the centre paint with the