New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-06
TO KEEP -MONGOOSE OUT.
One of the Animals on Forbidden
List.

4lt0ts
washington. Sept. & CspeciaD-slnce the annexa-
ton OF Hawaii. Porto Rico and the Philippines 70
the United States customs officials in every port OF
entry in this country have received repeated and
urgent orders to maintain a visilant lookout for
varieties of undesred birds and quadrupeds
The alien of the animal kingdom against which
the most rigid exclusion is enforced Is the mon
goose Upon no consideration Is this creature al
lowed to land from foreign ports to be
shipped from part OF American territory TO an
other
To carry this prescription into effect two Cabinet
officers invoking the far reaching power OF their
depart ments. Secretary Wilson has convinced
Secretary Shaw that the coming OF the mongoOse
would be great a menace to American prosperity
would be the unrestricted advent of anarchists
or paupers- The Secretary of the Treasury. there
FORE working in cooperation with Secretary Of
Agriculture. has issued the strictest orders
that no mOngOOse is put down alive on American
soil.
The sweeping character OF the order and the evil
dent determination the part OF Secretary Wilson
and Secretary Shaw to exact its enforcement have
created on the part OF minor officials eager de-
sire for information concerning the animal Ques-
ton A number OF inquiries have come from Gus
toms officials asking what OF a bird the
monsoOse Is that they might be able instantly
arrest any attempt TO smusse it into this country.
Instructions gone forth SO that officials
who thought that the mOngOOse was some sort OF a
predatory bird shall be able identify the quad
ruped and TO understand why the government re-
CURED that it should be killed instantly upon ar
rival
Should the mongooss get a foothold In the
United States. said DR.. T A Palmer, OF hos
pital survey. 1T would work the greatest possible
calamity to the farming industry OF the country
The mongoose is a native OF India The ichneumon
Of Egypt. which commends itself to the inhabitants
along the Nile because OF its appetite crocodile
eggs. is member OF the family. In India the
mongoose is held IN high for it is unequalled
as devourer Of rats and to accomplish this pur-
pose is domesticated IN thousands Of Hindoo homes
Moreover. though 1t is small animal. It does not
hesitate attack large and venomous reptiles IN
variably causing their death. 1t Is popularity be-
lieved in India that the mongoose while lighting
snakes chews the root of the OphiOrhiza mungos
regarded antdOte for snake bites) and that
it is thus rendered immune Scientists, however,
say that its success IN contests with due
TO 1t agility.
few years ago the mongoose was imported into
the island OF Jamaica to what the animal would
do toward the determination OF sugar cane rats
Before long the island numbered thousands Of
them and rats were practically ex+erminated, but
nevertheless. crops were found TO be ravaged Like
conditions obtained in Porto Rico and the Hawaiian
Islands. where the mongoose had been tried an
experiment. Not long ago the United States Gov
eminent sent scientists investigate. 1t has been
found that the mongOOse includes in its OF
determination the birds that live crop destroying
insects
The result is" said DR.. Palmer that the dew
astation OF the caused BY the insect pests in
some parts OF these islands where no birds survive
has been almost complete"
The monsoose lives In holes In the ground and Is
nocturnal in its ways. Being quick and cautious IL
is extremely difficult TO shoot or trap IT, Recently
Dr. Flexner. the toxicologist OF the University OF
PENNSYLVANIA. imported two mongooses for the pur-
pose Of experimenting upon them with poisonous
snakes He confronted by the governments
order. but the scientists OF the Department OF
Agriculture wished IL possible to have the expert
ments conducted. II agreed that the profess
sor's laboratory should be guarded by a federal
keeper. To convey them safely from the steamer he
chlorOformed tnem. and when he arrived at hts
laboratory found them dead.
In jamaica. Porto Rico and Hawaii however the
mongoose has sturdiIy and craftily resisted all
efforts made by scientists and hunters TO conquer
Il. The animal is exceedingly wary. evading the
most cunningly devised traps The mOngOOse will
frequently kin and devour OF birds IN single
night. The Department Of Agriculture has album
dainty demonstrated the benefit conferred upon
husbandry by birds that feed insect pests. and |
therefore. every effort will be maintained keep |
out the bird destroying mongoOse.
Because Of this unqualified embargo placed upon
the animal said Dr. Palmer. the mOngOOse Is at
tracing worldwide attention particularly among |
scientists. who have hitherto known little about IT.
On the continent OF America there only three /
or four monsooses. and they are confined In ZOO i
logical gardens under the strict espionage OF the
government Ofnctals- There IS one at the National
Geological Park. in this city and its cage
been erected placard announcing that further i'm
portation Of the kind will be serious nfractOn OF
the federal law. number Of scientists have made 4
Journeys hither for the purpose OF studying
this animal
The importation into the United States OF the fly
ing fox (PterOpus rubfcOllis). the largest mammal
that flies and which is a ruthless harvester OF 4
fruits and vegetables. is also prohibited. The flying
fox. fruit bat. is a native Of the islands OF the
Eastern Archipelago
The English sparrow continues. Of course. the 4
blacklist But the exclusion law IN this IL
rather tardy for the objectionable bird Is multiply
ing at enormous rate and spreading throughout
the country. The starting. a bird allied the
family IS either killed by the customs officials
returned at the expense Of the
Many new varieties OF birds and animals are being
discovered IN the Philippines. and the recon-
OF the scientists Of the biological survey
these being held at ports Of entry until Il can
be determined whether their advent would be detri-
mental or beneficial to American farming interests
A number OF birds. reptiles and mammals. such
swans. wild doves allsators. tortoises elephants. |
armaoillos. lions. rhnOccroses. panthers sloths
tapi-s ocelots. etc, may be imported without
permit
1T IS the desire Of the Treasury Department
OF The Department OF Agriculture unnecessarily 10
restrict impOrtations Of animals and birds desired
for exhibition In museums" said DIR. Palmer I
cept regards few varieties which such a
that their escape from melageries or ZOO |
logical gardens might work inconSeivable ruin 70 /
agriculture. In the therefore OF the goose
ld0 Starring. the cyspG Ia o.