Evening journal., 1899-05-27
MICE THAT WALTZ.
Science WIZ Endeavor 10 Find Out
II IL They Dance for Fun or De-
cnusc They Can't Help IL.


Dr. Frederick Schiller Lee has the
only waltzing mice in New York. They
do not require music, nor DO they alb
solutely need 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 "seyen," 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 superstitous old ealt.
Two Of them have died since they
came 20 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.
lie keeps them there in q wooden cage
with two compartments, and there
they whirl and whirl TO their hearts
content. Three of them turn to the
right most Of the time, but the other
prefers going TO the left, so the poor
fellow has TO waltz alone. The other
three gee together and dance a sort Of
merry-go-round in one compartment,
while the fourth spins all by himself
in the other. Sometimes two waltz
together, and then the dancers look
Ike real folks doing the misty mazes
in proper style.
These wonderful little mice have not
been brought here for amusement nor
for pets, but 10 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.
II 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 a malady
which, remarkable TO say, is located
in their ears. It is wonderful how
many things can be traced back 10 the
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 creased
wire, are known as the semicirculaI
canals. There are two lSinds-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
cartwheels and somersaults when w,
want TO be dignifed.
II is the horizontal canals which ar,
suspected Of causing the commotior
in the affairs Of rhese mice. it is pos
sible they may have been tampere,
with in some way, and II SO that woul,
be sufficient explanation. Otherwis'
the scientists may have 20 conclud
that the little fellows are only anus
: ing themselves, and that Waiting /
their favorite game. Other waltzinl
b. mice have been known. Old sailor
say they have seen them in China
which would be natural place 70
d come from, along with the two-taile
= goldfish, the dwarfed birds and an
: mails, in which that queer, topsy-turv
country abounds.
! Dr. Lee had hoped TO determine b
y the actions Of the offspring Of III
y walters whether it was a family ira
or only an eccentricity on the part {
these individuals, but, Unfortunate,
Mrs. Mouse's children came on II
d scene while he was out Of the city. an
q she at once proceeded TO kill and e,
rs them.-N. Y. World.