The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-09-19


NAL and Plant-Will Hunt Sea Ele-
plants For Their Skins-Trip to BE
Made ON a whaler.
To be suddenly taken from the bright
lights of New York to an island which
Is said to be uninhabited and to re-
main there for three months will be
the fate of Alfred J. Klein, a young
man in the taxidermy department Of
the American Museum Of Natural His
tory, says the New York Press. But
despite his fate he looked pleased with
the idea the other day when he said
the temporary exile was for the sake
Of science, as he is going to collect
skins Of sea elephants, kind Of seal
larger than walrus, which are said to
exist in the seas about Kerguelen is
land, on the border of the Indian and
Antarctic oceans. Klein will also shoot
birds for the museums collection and
make thorough investigation of every
species Of living thing there, not ex-
CcplluS uuu lies.
He will leave New York In the early
part Of September and sail from Bos-
ton ON a whaler. The voyage to the is
land will take about six months. Klein
will take with him the latest camping
outfit and canned food. but he expects
on the island. The captain Of the
whaler has made contract with the
museum authorities to take Klein to
the island and give him occasional
help ON condition that the whaler can
have all the oil from the sea lions
which Klein shoots. while he Is to take
only the skins.
DR.. F. A. Lucas, who Is connected
with the Natural History museum, is
responsible for sending the young man
out on the expedition, as he thinks
that several important discoveries can
be made On that small place, which Is
thousands of miles away from any
populated part of the globe. Mosqui-
toes are said to exist there, but not
the kind found in this part of the
world, as they are not equipped with
wings. There are also on the island
peculiar species Of tortoise and birds
which have never yet been seen in the
museums. Although the island has
been formally annexed by the French.
it has never been explored, and it is
only through the tales Of passing fish
ermen who have been on the island
for few days that scientists In New
York have decided that the little spot
of earth in the immense ocean Is worth
exploring.
Apart from the animal wealth of
Kerguelen island there are plants Of
different varieties which have never
been taken to the civilized pert Of the
world Klein will collect specimens Of
every form of animal and plant. He
will prepare the skins of the animals
and birds, and the plants and flowers
will he put into fOrmaldehyde and
glycerin to preserve, and when Klein
comes back to the United States they
will be named by botanists. A va
riety OF orchid thrives on the island
which, if ever brought to the United
States, would, it is believed. be one Of
the most valuable flowers in the world.
Even the orchids that have been found
in explorations in BOrneo do not COM
pare in the matter Of cOlOrs to the Ker-
guelcn beauty
The only difficulty in getting au-
thentic information from the place has
been the fact that no sailing vessels
ofo oh
Kerguelen island and the cost Of char
teriIg ship might not be repaid by
the results, as it involves considerable
risk, The officials Of the museum
heard about the whaler which leaves
in September. and bargain was
struck to take young Klein on the next
voyage. Klein was picked out be-
cause he was one of the healthiest men
in the employ Of the museum and one
Of the most enthusiastic. He has
shown considerable talent in his work
and has been in the employ of the mu-
scum for more than four years.
Although apparently satisfied with
foes book. young Klein takes the idea
of the voyage in the most serious way.
He has already prepared for the long
journey by purchasing many books,
which he will study on the tedious
trip and which will help him in the
scientific research in that remote part
Of the world.
One thing made him start, and that
was the possibility Of the sailing YES
sci being wrecked after he had been
left on that spot, far away from every
where, which might mean his remain
ing far longer than he wished on Ker-
guelen island. But this fact did not
lessen his enthusiasm, although 1t was
pointed out to Klein that he might
come far nearer to living the life Of
Robinson Crusoe than he dreamed of
while he was safe and sound in a civil
lized part of the globe
The whole trip will take about eight
cen months, presuming no mishap &C.
ours to the sailing ship.
Berries Going to Waste.
Tho horny crop around Wiucfod