New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-28
CATNIP AT THE ZOO.
TIGERS AND JAGUARS GET THEIR FlRSf
TASTE OF THE HERB.
From The Chicago Timcs-Herald.

From Tho Chicago Times Herald
An armful of fresh green catnip was piucheu
from the golf grounds of the Exnoor CiuD a.
Highland Park. 1t WAS taken TO Lincoln d.
and permission was asked OF Amman heePei De
Vry to try the effects of the green stun on tne
feline members Of his family. This herb, whlch
does not grow, far as Is known, In the hauhls
Of the cousins to the cats created great Sehsa~
ton at the ZOO. Perhaps the most astonishing III
Cident connected with the tour of the cages nap
pened just the visitor with his big bundle q!
Catnip left the office OF the keeper in the animal
house. The scent Of the plant filled the whole
place, and as soon as it had reached the parrots
corner the two gaudy attred macaWs set up d
noise that drowned thought and made for the
side of the cage poking their beaks and claws
through. When the catniI was brought near
them they became nearly frantic. They were
given some and deyOured it, stem, leaf and bios
son. with an avidity commensurate with the
noise of their voices.
The keeper and the catnp carrier then made
for the cage Of Billy, the African leopard. Now,
Billy, so far as is known, had never before
smelIed seen leaf of the plant. Before the
front OF his cage was reached he had bounded
from the shelf whereon he lay. apparently asleep.
and stood eXpcctant alert and with Frightened
eyes at the bars Of his cage. This African exotic
went simply insane. The man with the catnp
purposely waited few minutes before ne poked
any OF the green leaves and yeowishw
flowers Of the plant through to the big cat.
Finally double handful Of catnp was passed
through 10 the floor of the den Never was the
prey of this African dweer in his wild state
bounced upon more rapidly or with more abso-
lutcly savage enjoyment. First Billy ate
mOuthful of the catnip, then he lay fiat his
back and wriggled his sinuous length through
the green mass Until his back-spotted yellow
hide pcrmcdted with the Odor Of the plant
from shoulders to Tail tip. Then Billy sat on
bunch Of the catnp. caught a eaf-laden stem
up in either paw and rubbed his cheeks, chin,
nose, eyes and head Heated with his eXertons,
he cXudcd catnip at every pore. He ate adj
di,ionai mOuthfu or two Of the stuff, and then
jumped back 10 his shelf, where he lay, the
very picture Of safety and cOntentment.
In the tigers cage there Is very young but
full-grOwn animal. capture within eighteen
months in tho jungles of India. He is a power
ful brute and one with which even the keepers
do not seek n close acquaintance. When this
great, sury beast inhaled the first sniff of the
catnp ne began To new like "A kitten. Prior to
this the sOftest note of his voice had been one
which put the roar of the big-maned South AZ
rlcan lion to shame. That vicious tiger and his
kindly dispositioned old mate fairly revealed in
the liberal allowance Of the plant which was
thrust into their cage. They rolled about in IL
and played together like six weeks-old kittenS
They meved and purred evidently discussing the
question as TO what this strange plant was which
gave them variety Of pleasure never before ex-
perienccd. They tossed it about. ate of it, and,
after getting about liberal n dose as had
Billy. the leopard. they Likewise leaped TO their
respective shelves and blinked lazily at the sun
The DIG hon, Major. was either too digniiied or
TOO lazy 10 pay more than passing attcn-
ton TO the bunch OF catnip which fell 10 his lot
He ate a mouthful or two OF il and Their licked
MS chops In that's not half bad" way and
then went back To his nap. The three baby lions
quarrelled over their allowance and ate II every
bit, but they could not be beguiled despite their
tender years. into frolicklng over the presence
OF the plant.