New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-30
WILD CREATURES.


WILD ANNALS y CArTIyyIT T-. or orPheun'
drI, the ZS9 ,n ann 8,hs5 rf fpo phoogphs
by Gambler Bolton. +. T. >, ana from Japan
csc Drawings. So. PIP. $40. Macmillan a co.
WILD BEASTS: 4 study OF the Characters ana
iaeuar. Tiger. Puma. Wolf and Grizzly Bear.
Rv J. Hampton Porter. Illustrated. $40. pp
$50. Charles Scribners sons.
Much of the wisdom Of this world Is. after all.
contained in legends and fables and o:d-wves
tales The myth Of yesterday are the science OF
to-day Old Hesiod. ages ago. sang Of the son Of
Apollo and Calliope. the wondrous music OF
whose Tyre enthralled ,he wild beasts Of the
forest Ana at the end Of the nineteenth century
another Orpheus. in frock coat and chimney-pot
hat goes into the London Zoo and pays a
fiddle and 10, the fancy If the Greek poet Is
turned into scientific fact. 1t was from that very
experiment that the fascinating volume before
us grew Mr.. Cornish who evidently obeys the
Ancient Mariners exhortation, and "loveth well
both man and bird and beast went to the
Geological Gardens to observe the tricks and
manners Of the creatures in captivity, and to
try various innocent tricks OF his own upon
them, and then to write the results In series
Of articles for Tho Spectator" Those articles
form the nucleus Of the book though many other
chapters Of equal interest have been added.
Our latter-day Orpheus, then mot Mr.. Cornish
himself. but a musical friend whom he took with
HIM. with his well-tuned violin. first approached
the insect cages to begin with the lowest forms
OF life The taranulas listened, or did not listen,
unmoved and sulky. They whose bite is said In
fable 20 make others dance. refused to dance
themselves. Not the scorpions After rev
note. had been played they became agitated
and writhed and danced tumultuously, their ex-
element increasing with every crescendo and
u,i,h dimnucndO Proceeding
the reptiles cages more marked effects were
seen The monitor lizard listened and swayed Its
head In time with the music. Black snakes were
attentive and started up and Kissed at every
sudden dscord A boa crept as close as possible
to the instrument. and seemed enraptured. But
of all snakes the cobra is reputed to be most
susceptible to music, and the one experimental
upon at the Zoo did not belle It's fame. Its be-
havor says Mr. Cornish more than Justified
the Indian stories Of snake-charming with
music The snake on hearing the violin. raised
itself In the traditional attitude. on It's tall
spread its hood and gently swayed to and fro.
With every change In the character OF the music
its attitude and expression changed AT a
tremolo passage It puffed its body out. Alta bag
| nine "drone" it's hood was expanded to the
| utmost And at every sharp discord 1t flinched
| as II 1t had been struck with stick.
The first quadrupeds 10 which Orpheus played
| were Polar and grizzly bears, which manifested
| much pleasure stood up at the front OF the cage
| TO listen. and fnched at discord. Who has not
J heard OF the German legend stirringly told In
verse by Gustav Hartwig. OF the musician lost
| in the forest. who kept a pack OF wolves at
| bay by playing his fiddle until succor came? And
why should 1t not be true? The wolves at the
| Zoo snarled and covered in AFFECT fear at sound
| OF the violin, with tails between legs. hair
bristling bodies quvering in literal spasms OF
| fright, So with jackas and foxes. AS for
| sheep they naturally found pleasure In that
| which frightened the wolves. SO did the wild
hogs the bisons and the Zebras. The elephant
| did not like it, but snored and whisted with
| rage The monkeys displayed critical diversity
| OF sentiment. Some listened eagerly, with mods
| and other gestures Of appreciation, while others
| scowled and turned away in supercilious disgust.
| The only animals that were entirely Indifferent
were the seals unhapplly contradicting SCOTS
| poetic fancy OF the seals which Through surges
| dark would oft pursue the MINISTRIES bark
1t il to be noted. however. that many less poetic
| but more scientific authorities strongly confirm
4 Scott's inimation CT tie seals fondness Tor
| music Perhaps the specimens at the Zoo we're