The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1893-10-07
IS the editor in?'

As the editor inY'
eyes, sir. | think they run him in last
night"
81 mean, is he in here?"
"No, sir. He's in debt. Atlanta Con.
stitution.
AN uNRN5wENGJ CC1o-I iJG.
why Do Cats Eyes Shine In the Dark
While Mems Eyes DO Not?
Why do cats eyes shine in the dark
while mems eyes do not? Tho author Of
"Idle Days In Patagonia" raises this
question without answering it. He shot
and wounded an eagle owl, and the sight
Of the bird, he says, was one Of the
greatest surprises with which nature
ever favored him. The owls haunt was
an island overgrown with grass and tall
willows. Thither Mr.. Hudson went to-
ward evening and found him upon his
perch waiting for sunset. He eyed the
intruder so calmly as almost to disarm
him, but hunters of specimens have a
way of hardening their hearts. Mr..
Hudson fired. The owl swerved on his
perch, remained suspended for fewmo-
ments and then slowly futtered down,
He says:
found my victim stung to fury by
his wounds and ready for the las5 su-
preme effort. Even in repose he is a big,
eaglelike bird; now in the uncertain
| light he looked gigantic in size-a mon
ster of strange form and terrible aspect.
Each particular feather stood on end,
the tawny barred tail spread out like a
fan, the immense tiger colored wings
wide open and rigid, so that as the bird,
that had clutched the grass with his
great feathered claws, swayed slowly
| from side to side-just as a snake about
to strike sways his head, or as an angry,
watchful cat moves its tail-first the tip
of one, then of the other wing touched
the ground.
The black horns stood erect, while In
the center of the wheel shaped head the
beak snapped incessantly, producing a
sound like the clicking of sewing ma
chine. This was suitable setting for
the pair of magnificent, furious eyes, on
which gazed with kind Of fascination,
not unmixed with fear, when / remem-
bered the agony suffered ON former oc-
casions from sharp. crooked talons driv-
en- into me TO the bone.
The irides were of bright orange
color, but every time / attempted to ap-
proach the bird they kindled into great
globes of quiyering yellow fame, the
black pupils being surrounded by scin-
tillating crimson light which threw out
minute yellow sparks into the air. When
/ retired from the bird, this preternatu-
raj fiery aspect would instantly vanish.
The question as 10 the cause Of this
fiery appearance is one hard to. answer.
We know that the source Of the luni-
Mostly IN owls and cats eyes is the light
rejecting membrane between the retina
and the sclerotic coat Of the eyeban, but
the mystery remains. When with the
bird, / particularly noticed that every
time l retired the nictilating membrane
would Immediately cover the eyes and
obscure them for some time, as they will
when an owl is confronted with strong
sunlight, and this gave me theimpression
that the fiery, flashing appearance was
accompanied with OF followed by a burn.
ing OF smarting sensation.
have lived great deal among semi
savage men. / have often seen then
frenzied with excitement, their face
white as ashes, their hair erect and theil
eyes dropping great tears Of rage, but
have never seen in them anything ap
preaching TO that fiery appearance of tht
owl.-Youth's Companion.