Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-25
CAUSED A SENSATION.
The First Introduction of Catnfp in
the Chicago Zoo.

The First Introduction of Catnfp in
the Chicago Zoo.
From the Chicago Times Herald.
An armful of fresh green catnip was
plucked from the golf grounds of the Elk
moor Club at Highland Park and taken to
Lincoln Park to try the effects of the green
stuff on the feline members of the zoo. This
herb, which does not grow, so far as is
known. in the haunts of the cousins of the
cats, created a great sensation at the zoo.
The scent of the plant filled the whole
place, and as soon as it had reached the
parrots corner the TWO gaudily attired ma
caws set up noise that drowned thought
and made for the side of the cage poking
their beaks and claws through. When the
catnip was brought near them they became
nearly frantic. They were given some and
devoured it, stem. leaf and blossom. with
an avidity commensurate with the noise of
their voices.
The keeper and the catnip carrier then
made for the cage of Billy, the African
leopard. Nov, Billy. SO far as is known,
had never before smelled or seen a leaf of
the pant Before the front of his cage was
reached he had bounded from the shelf
wherein he lay, apparently asleep, and
stood expectant. The man with the catnip
purpoSely waited few minutes before he
poked any of the green leaves and yellow
ish-white flowers of the plant through to
the big cat.
Finally a double handful of catnip was
passed through to the floor of the den
Never was the prey of this African dweller
In his wild state pounced upon more rapidly
or with more absolute savage enjoyment.
First Billy ate a mouthful of the catnip
then he lay fiat on his back and wriggled
MS slnuous length through the green mass
until his black-spoteed yellow hide was
permeated with the odor Of the plant. Then
Billy sat on a bunch of the catnip caught
a leaf-laden stem up in either paw and
rubbed his cheeks, chin. nose, eyes and
head. He ate an additional mouthful or
two and then jumped back to his shelf.
where he lay. the very picture of safety
and contentment
In the tigers cage there is very young
but full-grown animal, captured within
eighteen months in the jungIes of India
When this great, surly beast inhaled the
hrst sniff OF the catnip he 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 African lion
to shame. That vicious tiger and his kind
ly dispositioned old mate fairly reveled in
the liberal allowance of the plant which
was thrust into their cage. They rolled
about in 1t and played together like six
weeks-old kittens. They mewed and purred.
evidently discussing the question as to
wnat this str lnge plant was which gave
them variety of pleasure never before
experienced. They tossed it about, ate of
1t, and, after getting about as liberal dose
as had Billy. the leopard, they likewise
ieaped to their respective shelves and
blinked lazily at the sun.
The big lion, Major, was either too dignf-
ned or too lazy to pay more than passing
attention to the bunch of catnip which fell
10 ms lot. He ate mouthful or two of it
and then licked his chops in that not
ha1-bad way, and then went back to his
nap The three baby lions Quarreled over
their allowance and ate IL every hit