Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-05-13
MICE THAT WALTZ.
Science VIII Endenvor to Find Out
II They Dance for Fun or be-
cnuse They Can't Help II.

DR.. Frederick Schiller Lee has the
only waltzng mice in New York. They
do not require music, nor do they alb
solutely need a partner, though they
prefer one or more Of the latter, but
waltz they will, no matter what time
of day or night.
There are only four of them now.
They were originally "seven," like the
mortuary family Of poetic exploitation.
They came over on the Germanic from
England, and during the passage one
of them escaped. lie is doubtless whirl-
ing through the cabins and the hatch
ways of that ship, and at this moment
may be striking terror to the heart
of some superEtitious old salt.
Two of them have died since they
came to this country, but the other
four are thriving on American air.
They are to be seen in DR.. Lees lab
oratory, at the College Of Physicians
and Surgeons OF Columbia university.
He keeps them there in a wooden cage
with two compartments. and there
they whirl and whirl 10 their hearts
content. Three Of them turn TO the
right most of tho time, but the other
prefers going % the left. so tina poor
fellow has to waltz alone. The other
three get together and dance q sort Of
merry-go-round in ono compartment,
while the fourth spins all by himself
in the other. Sometimes two waltz
together, and then the dancers look
like real folks doing tho misty mazes
in proper style.
These wonderful little mice have not
been brought here for amusement nor
for pets, but to further the interests
of science. tits a study Of motives and
physical causes-to find out whether
these little fellows waltz themselves
giddy because they want to, or be-
cause they can't helpit.
1t is suspected by those who have
heard of their gyrations that the mice
have no choice in the matter-that they
are merely suffering from q malady
which, remarkable TO say, is located
in their ears. 1t is wonderful how
many things can be traced back to the
I ears, either as a cause or as an indica-
ton of disorder.
The particular portions OF the ear
which determine whether we walk
straight or tipsy, or whether we fall
off our bicycles our ride a CREASED
wire, are known as the semicircular
canals. There are two linds-one, the
horizontal, which regulates our move
ments in walking forward or back
ward; the other. the vertical, which
prevents our falling down and turning
eartwheels and somersaults when we
want 10 be dignihed.
II is the horizontal canals which are
suspected OF causing the cOmmotion
in the affairs of these mice. II is pos
sible they may have been tempered
with in some way. and II so that would
be sufficient explanation. Otherwise
the scientists may have to conclude
that the little fellows are only anus
ing themselves, and that Waiting is
their fayorite game. Other whiting
mice have been known. Old sailors
say they have seen them in China,
which would be a natural place fol
come from, along with the two-tailed
goldfish, the dwarfed birds and ami
mails, in which that queer. topsy-turvy
country abounds
DR.. Lee had hoped to determine by
the actions Of the offspring of the
walters whether IL was a family trait
or only an eceentricity on the part OF
these individuals, but, unfortunately
Mrs. Mouse's children cdme on the
scene while he was out Of the city, and
| she at once Droceeded 20 kill and eai
them.-N. Y. World.