Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-09-01
CURIOSO OF
To Be Seen at the Columbian
Exposition.
LIVE OHAMELEONs AS BREAsTP1Ns.

LIVE OHAMELEONS AS BREASTPINS.
Vhcy Arc Perfectly Harmless but Look
Rather ~Uncnnny-Thc Eloridn Building
u Model Of Old Fort Marion-Thc Credit
able Exhibit Mndc by Oklahoma Tcrri-
tory-lntcrcsting Statistics.
WoRLD's FAIR, Aug. 20. - [Special.] -
Florida is arranging to have her day OH or
near Oct. o, but her governor will not lie
here, certainly not officially or by invita-
ton OF the managers at any rate, though
there is no law to forbid his coming MS a
private citizen. He hns been u consistent
and unyiclding opponent of any action by
the state, and the legislature did not mp
propriate a dollar. Some cnterprising
citizens raised q few thousand dollars
and built here a model of old
Fort Marion, which is said to be
the only specimen of purely medieval
architecture in the United States. It is of
one story, stands nearly in the centre of
the group of state buildings, not far north
of the Art Palace, and has as many visi-
tors from other states rs any state build
Ing on the grounds.
1t is literally packed with curiosities of
every kind-reptiles from the live cham
eleon to the stuffed alligator; antiquities
from the first landing of the Spaniards to
the last shot of the civil war; ferns, fruits,
flowers and grasses, and a surprising ar
ray of objects Of art and small manufac-
lures. Many Of the exhibits are Of a very
perishable nature. and the expense of re-
storing them is considerable, and as Flor
ida fruit comes in late there can he 70
complete display even in October. Oranges
will then be brought in the green state
and will take ON tlei1 yellow hue here.
The stcry went about that small live
alligators were sold IN the building, with
collar on and chain and pin attached and
that some Of the g:ddy were them as
b%reastp;ns; but the superintendent en-
phaticslly denies tie allegation and sacers
at the alligator. "The alligator is a scarce
animal in Florida, SIT, and we make no
show of them" said lie 10 me-.
But live chameleons ara for sale in plen-
ty, and very curious little creatures they
arc. With a tiny gold ring around the
body and Il fairy-like gold chain attached
the delicate little thing is fastened to the
coat collar, vest or necktie and makes q
lively but rather uncanny breastpin. They
change color when frightened or excited
and sometimes just for luck. On the dark
purple velvet on which they are exposed
for sale they generally maintain a dark,
dull color, but even then one will occa-
sionally turn a deep grass green and stay
so for hours, for what reason nobody
knows. They are perfectly harmless, Of
course, having neither teeth, claws nor
stings, but still that instructive dread of
all reptile-like creatures which we are sup
posed to inherit from the primordial mon
keys makes most men hesitate to touch
them, and the ladies often give n little
feminine scream when one is handed to
them.
The building is handsomely and appro-
priately finished in Florida woods, and in
the only place where room can be found
for social matters there is a piano. The
open central court is beautiied by
palm, palmetto and pampa grass,
and all around it every room is
a museum. There are sponges
corals and sea fans of so delicate a texture
that it seems a light wind might watt
them away. There are shells of dozens of
kinds and carved or Uttered in a style that
is fine art. There are sea beans, star fish
and alligator teeth in every conceivable
form of jewelry, and fish scales wrought
into hundreds of delicate and beautiful
forms. Leather of alligator skin can be
bought here in any desired quantity. All
the grains and grasses, roots and fruits f
Florida are shown in some form, with cot
ton and the cotton plant, the sugar cane
and the Spanish moss artistically draped