Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-02-15
NATURAL TRAP.
Death Gnlch Captures or Asphyaiates
 Many Wild Animals.


 ravine in the northeast corner of the Yellowstone national park, says App p1etons Monthly. "In this res .on the lavas which fill the ancient basin of l tl. 2 ssrN rest npon the Hanks of noun !s+ of fragmentary volcanic eJeCl while the hydrothernal 1 forces the central portion of the park stw but feeble manifestation of l their energy in the almost extinct hot l spring areas of Soda Butte, Lamar l river, Cache creek and Miller creek" l Although hot water no longer flows i from these vents. gaseous emanations are now given off in considerable vol ume." "0n Cache creek, about two miles above it's confluence with Lamar river. are deposits of altered and erys- l talline travertine, with pools in the creek violently effervescing locally. This is due to the eopious emission of gas. Above these deposits the creek cuts into bank of sulphur and gravel cemented by this material. and a few yards beyond Is the debouchure of small lateral gully coming down from the mountain side. In it's bot n is small stream of clear and cold water, sour with sulphuric acid, and flowing down a narrow and steep channel cut in beds of dark gray volcanic tuff. As- cending this gulch the sides, closing together, become very steep slopes of white, deeomposing rock. -. The only springs now flowing are small oozes of water Issuing from the base of these slopes Or from the channel bed, forming thick, creamy, white deposit about the vents and covering the stream bed. This deposit consists largely of sulphate of arumina. About 150 feet above the main stream these oozing springs of acid water cease, but the channel of the gulch remains the same. The odor of sul- phur now becomes stronger, though producing no other effect than slight irritation of the lungs. Climbing through this trough, frightfully weird and dismal place, and occupied by only tiny streamlet and an ap- pa11ing odor, we at length discovered some brown furry masses lying scat- tered about the floor of the raVine l point where we left Cache creek. AD- preaching cautiously, it became quick ly evident that we had before us large group of huge, reeumbent bears. The one nearest to US was lying with his nose between his paws, facing us, and so exactly like a huge dog asleep that it did not seem possible that it was the sleep of death. To make sure, I threw pebble at the animal, strik- ing him on the flank. The distended skin resounded like a drum head, and the only response was q belch of poi sonous gas that almost overwhelmed us. Closer examination showed that the animal was young silver tip grizzly (Ursus horribilis). A few drops of dark red blood stained his nostri1s and the ground beneath. There proved to be five other earcasses, ali bears, in various stages of decay; careful search revealed oval areas of hair and bones that represented two other bears, mak- ing total of eight carcasses in all.
 Rare Find.
 A rare find in the shape of moa's egg has been made in mining dis trict in Central Otago. There was fall of earth in a dredging claim, and presently the huge egg was seen float l ing uninjured in the water. The dis covery is the more interesting from the fact that this is the second perfect moa's egg that has ever been found. The only other perfect specimen was unearthed by man while digging in the alluyial soil at the Kaikoura moun- tains in the early sixties. This egg. which was nine inches in length and seven inches in breadth, was taken to England and sold for 100 guineas. Some idea of the size of these eggs may be cleaned from the fact that a mans hat makes an excellent egg-cup for them.
 Department store Law in Missouri.
 The anti-department store law of Missouri went into effect recently. It Imposes a license fee of from $500 to $500 a year on all classes of goods designated by it and sold in any store giving employment to fifteen or more persons. The license commissioner. each city having one, decides whether the fee shall be minimum maximum or intern ate, There are depart ment stores in Missouri that deal in ninety and more different classes of goods. At a minimum rate such stores would be compelled to pay from $27,- 900 a year upward in taxes. The small | dealers and merchants in SingIe lines of goods will fight for the enforce ment of the law by employing all legal 1 help possible. The department stores