Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-10-07
Miseellaneous 8sadina.
ANIMALS THAT CAN SWIM.
Bear Considered Best Swimmer, Horse
and Deer Rank Next.

and Deer Rank Next.
In spite of the fact that man is not
an instructive swimmer, as are most
of the lower animals, he excels all of
the latter that are not aquatic In en-
durance in the water. 1t Is reported
that, in attempting to swim across the
English Channel recently, man COW
cred thirty miles before he succumbed
to exhaustion. The only land animals
that are known to be able to approx
mate such a feat are bears. which are
probably the strongest swimmers
among animals not specially adapted
by nature for the water.
Deer and horses rank next to bears
in swimming powers. Deer swim rap
idly and gracefully, and it is not un-
common for them to cover a distance
of ten or even fifteen miles in the
water. Horses are powerful SWIM
mers. and have none Of the aversion
toward entering the water which Is Of
ten shown even by animals which can
swim we'll when forced to. A number
of horses that were pastured on the
American side Of the Niagara river
once swan in company across this
broad stream in order to return to
their old stables. 1t may be useful to
know that, in crossing body OF water
with a horse, the best method, If the
horse is expected to swim any consid-
erable distance, is to slide over his
back hold the animal lightly by the
tail, and allow it to tow you across.
This relieves the horse Of the weight
of the body, and enables him to swim
faster and much further than other
wise would be the case.
Dogs vary greatly in ability as
swimmers. The water spaniel, re-
triever, mastiff and st. Bernard excel
all others. A retriever known to the
writer once followed a canoe for nine
miles. The dog was much exhausted,
however, when drawn into the boat.
The elephant is a good swimmer,
and the wild animals of the cat family.
the tiger, the panther, the jaguar and
others, do not hesitate to cross lakes
and rivers. On the other hand, the
domestic cat shrinks from immersion,
and browns quickly. The nostrils OF
some small animals are so placed as
to render breathing very difficult when
they are in the water. Among these
are mice and rabbits, which will drown
without sinking beneath the surface.
Rats are excellent swimmers.
Almost all birds except those which
are distinctly natatorial are nearly
helpless in water. Small birds, in par
ticular have no power of propulsion,
and, though they do not sink, they
drown quickly. Even many species Of
water fowl rise from the water with
difficulty, or not at all, when their
wings are wet. After sea gull
plunges and returns to the surface it
stretches it's wings so that they may
be dried by the wind and sun before
it attempts to fly.
All reptiles swim. Almost all snakes
ease and rapidity as on land. Rattle
snakes, for example, are much given
to swimming in placid water If 1t is
not too cold. In the Everglade Lakes
of Florida they may be often seen. 1t
is we'll to know that to attack from a
boat poisonous snake in the water is
much more dangerous proceeding
than to attack the snake on land. The
reason is that the reptile will immedi-
ately make for the boat, since 1t must
have a solid base from which to strike.
1t half leaps and half climbs into the
craft, and there is fight at uncomfor-
tably close quarters.-Success.
THE RICHEST GIRL In EURoPE.-A
very popular young girl is Miss
Krupp, who since the death Of her
father has been the chief proprietor
of the Krupp works. at Essen, Germa-
nv. and is said to be the richest girl
in the world. Young though she Is,
she holds the fate Of nations in her
Keeping, LOT IL tHe hIupp "oihS ie
fused to supply country with arms,
that country would indeed be in bad
way.
Miss Krupp. when she makes her
debut in Berlin. will do so under the
protection of the Kaiser and kaiserin,
who take great interest in her, an in
terest which is due not only to her
own charms, though they are many,
but to the fact that her father was an
intimate personal friend of the en-
peror
In Essen Miss Krupp is like a little
sovereign. The town, with it's 100000
inhabitants, is practically her private
property, and the power she wields so
wisely and kindly over $4,000 employ
ees and their families is very great
Home Notes.