The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-07
EDUCATED BUGS.
They Arc Wonderful Creatures of
the ssNo Wing" Variety.
From the Pittsburg Dispatch.

the mo wing" variety.
From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
An ordinary bed bug Is not an insect
that commands admiration on account of
it's surprising intelligence, and 1t is hard
to believe that two of the species are at
tracing wondering crowds to see them go
through a set performance; but this is
actually going on in Paris.
The owner Of the two educated bugs is
Victor Shumann, who calls himself 1.-THE
Insect Tanner Of Berne." Shumann has
taught the two bed bugs with which he is
now amusing the Parsians to go through
a performance in which a model of the
great Nasmith hammer at the works of
Krupp, at Essen, in Germany, is the cen
terpiece.
Shumann constructed the model only af-
ter many months of hard work, and in
1t itself 1t is a great curiosity, The pom
derous hammer of which it is copy is
Of the pattern familiar to those who have
visited works in which big machinery Is
made. The mass of iron that constitutes
the striking part Is moved up and down
framework above the anvil by means of
a lever, which Is so nicely balanced that
the operator of the hammer can crack a
hickory nut or crush masses of white hot
metal with equal facility. The tiny model
structed Of solid gold, as far as the ham
mer and anvil are concerned, and of sill
yer as to the framework the chains and
gearing of that dearest Of metals, plati-
mum.
The hammer which Shumann took as a
model weighs 100000 pounds. The model
weighs just a little more than half an
ounce; but in spite of its microscopical size
every portion of the machinery is as work.
able as in the ponderous original. The
framework is of so fine a construction that
1t resembles the hairSpring of a tiny watch,
and platinum wires of which the chains
are made, are of such thinness that they
can only be seen with the aid of micro
scope.
The operations of the bugs are survey
ed through a number of magnfying glass
es to which the eyes of the patrons of the
queer little show are applied. At the word
of command from the insect tanner the
bugs issue solemnly from a little compart-
ment built for them under the framework
of the hammer, and while one encircles
with his fore feet the lever raises the ham,
mer to the top of the frame, and brings 1t
crashing down on the golden anvil. At
least the spectator can imagine they hear
the crash-for through the magnifying
glasses the tiny machine seems to be of
enormous proportions, while the bugs are
enlarged until they become frightful look
ing monsters.
The performing bugs and their golden
hammer are becoming the talk of Paris,
and the exhibit Is pronounced one of the
most remarkable that even that city of
surprising shows has seen for some time.
Shumann has become so enthusiastic over
the success of his idea that he has prom
ised the Parisians to Guido their widest
fancies in the training of bugs, by making
them so skillful that they will not only go
through the mechanical work of raising
md lowering the hammer, but will actually
fashion the tiny section of wire on the an
vii into geometrical figures.
Shumann claims that the bed bug Is a
much abused insect. II have trained many
insects" he said in a recent interview,
but for choice give me the despised and
prosecuted bed bug. l admit that a dead
bed bug is not the most prepossessing of
insects, but live one properly treated is
some thing to admire. Those bugs of mine
will come at my call, and as you see will
obey my commands instantly when ordered
to work the hammer. claim that they are
possessed of unusual Intelligence, and
have finer instincts than even the ant
which is usually considered the cleverest
inhabitant of the insect world. began the
training Of the bugs by placing their feet
in position, and then moving the machin-
cry or drawing the tiny bar Of iron in the
right direction.
Inc DuSs, Oh course, were LOT escaping
at first but, they soon learned that no
harm came to them by keeping where
they were, and after time the motion
applied came to be mechanical to them,
and 1 had only to place the other in the
vicinity of the bar of iron to cause them
both to go through the performance spon-
taneousiy. 1t was an easy matter after
that to train them TO come at the sound
of my voice and go through the desired
action. 1 am quite attached to the insects,
and would not part with them for any
money
It is probable that the performing bed
bugs will be brought to America in the
fall. and the people Of this country will
have an opportunity of seeing insects, for
which It has been thought there was no
earthly use save to plague humanity, go
ing about their blacksmith work with
the cleverness OF trained mechanics.
SO 1t Does.--smith; Seeing is believing.