The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-02-11

bullocks, with long bushy hair on the
head and breast. The face is short and
broad, like that of a bull dog but infinite
ly more savage; the rough name hangs
thick around the ears, and the mouth is
armed with two long, crooked teeth in
either jaw. The ugly creatures tail is
divided into two large flippers, each flip
per having five nails, and by the aid of
these, which he moves sideways, assisted
by his two front flippers, he scrambles
along the rocks as fast as man can walk;
but not for long, being soon ''winded'
by his own excessive fairness. The blub-
Der is spread over the whole body six or
eight inches thick, and makes excellent
lamp-oi The flesh is eaten by many,
and | can testify to the fact that the liver
of the young ones is morsel fit for an
epicure The lioness is considerably
smaller than the male, and though quite
fierce in defence of her cubs, having
been known to tear off human legs and
arms when interfered with--is at other
times gentle and timid
That enormous species of seal, other
wise known as the ''trlnk- nose' is call
ed by the Falklanders the clap match; and
though of astonishing bulk-often thirty
feet long, is an inotfensive creature. Its
''strong point" like that of many human
beings. is its stomach-a cartilaginous
substance, hard as bone, resisting the
edge of knife. Egg hunting during its
season commencing in October) is great
fun, because sure to be attended with
brilliant success, and millions of penguin
eggs and those of other wild birds arc sold
in the Falkland markets az an average
rate of ten cents the dozen.
During our recent cruise we went ashore
on sequestered island to view what the
Captain called penguin city. Sure
enough the whole island, comprising per
haps fifty acres, was laid off in regular
squares by streets running at right angles,
the lines straight and true as a surveyor
could have drawn them. AS is we'll known
penguins spend their lives on the water,
except during the breeding season. when
they are obliged to seek the shore You
will hardly believe me, but it is neverthe-
less true, that the birds not only lay out
their city in blocks, but pick up all the
loose stones till the whole place is smooth
a, ~, +,1-
sion in couples, each pair selecting a
home site. not to build a nest, but merely
to pre-empt particular spot on the bare
ground.
The hen lays one egg. and only one,
and during the time of incubation the
male bird brings her food from the sea,
or sits on the egg awhile himself if she
wants to 90 out to take Il swim. But in
this case, as in many Others virtue is not
Its own exceeding great reward, be-
cause the lady-penguins grow SO fat
and sleek under the good care of their
faithful husbands that they are the more
eagerly hunted at that particular season.
L ll0 olt DllNS etIt loO loUSH anu ISllN 10
be relished by man or beast. but the ten
der young NATIONS are in great demand,
both for their flesh and oil. Even the
eggs have an oily and tishy flavor and
taste as hens eggs might if cooked in
kerosene.
The penguin is 10y no means either IA
handsome or graceful creature. He has
wings ike any other bird. but they are
altogether too short to fly with. though
they may assist him somewhat in wad-
ding over the ground. When in the Wa
ter he has no use for wings. because his
broad feet webbed like those of a duck
propel him rapidly. There are several
varieties Of them, the largest called the
= Emperor Penguin. weighing from
twenty-five to forty pounds. 1t is funny
TO see a colony Of these ungainly birds
marching up and down their streets like
soldiers, all the time standing erect and
maintaining an air of great dignity and
Importance. FANNIE i. WARD.
Colby CGrreSDonGeuce