Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1912-02-15
In The Science Department.
Animals Used For Ornaments.

Animals Used For Ornaments.
An interesting topic, for biologists of
the present time, is the study of animals
orparts of animals, used for ornamental
purposes. The animals that add to the
comforts of man are numerous but
greater still is the number that add to
the beauty and magnificence of his sur
roundings. Some, such as the birds,
contribute feathers and plumes of
various and beautiful colorings, while
others, such as the deer and the goat
supply horn, which is converted into
various articles of ornamental use.
The animals of the sea also contribute
largely to the variety of articles used in
decorating the homes in which we live.
The highly polished shells that may be
found on the piano, stand or writing
desk were once the abode of living
animal.
To large degree buttons are used as
ornaments although they usually per-
form more important duty. Many of
the so-called pearl buttons are made
from the shells of a great many species
of mollusks, the supply of the United
States being obtained from the Missis.
sippi River where there are said to be
over four hundred species at the present
time.
The horn that is largely used in the
manufacture of such articles as may be
familiar to the reader is principally OBJ.
tanned from the goat, sheep, OK, and
buffalo The horns of these animals
are easily colored, solution of gold
turns them red solution of nitric acid,
black; so that if the proper solution is
used and rightly applied the color de-
sired may be obtained. Such articles
as ornamental combs, drinking cups
and others are made by the softening
and melting together of the horns of
the above mentioned animals.
The different feathers of various birds
form a large part of the ornamental
product. The feathers of a single bird
vary much in size and appearance;
those of the wings and tail being the
longest, while the pin-feathers and
, down" are much shorter. The pin.
feathers are very short and have just
begun to grow: they resupply the bird
or replace those that have been lost
through accident. The down protects
the body of the bird from cold and
dampness. The long feathers of the
wings and tail are the means by which
the bird is able to fly. Among the chief
birds producing the most valuable
feathers are the ostrich, heron, egret
swan, and bird of paradise, each Of
which will be discussed separately.
The feathers of the same bird are Of
many different colors and each color OF
as many different hues. tits impossible
to describe the beauty of these birds OIL
to compare or contrast them with others
All feathers are subject to natural
changes in color, some change with the
season to match the color of the sur
rounding objects upon which the bird
alights. Some birds. as the northern
sea gull have set color which is prob
ably due to the fact that the surround
ing objects never change. This color
scheme is just another way which
nature has of protecting her animals
and birds.
There are three great uses to which
commercial feathers are put: first, pens
due to the peculiar elasticity Of the
quilts, used more extensively in former
times than at present; secondly, bed
feathers, due to the softness Of the
down. and lastly, ornamental feathers
due to the graceful form and beautiful
colors.
AS we are interested only in those that
are ornamental and the number being
so large we will consider only the i'm
portant ones. AS far back as the dawn
of history feathers have been used tc
decorate the dress of the savage and
semi-savage tribes. The feathers used
by these crude people needed little
preparation and the methods OF mount
ing them were of the simplest. 1t is
found that even in the lowest forms OF
, civilization the way in which they were
arranged was most magnificent.
In Europe feathers and plumes have
always been used to decorate the he'll
NETS and hats of men of military rank
From this ancient custom the women
obtained their idea of wearing them a.
hat decorations, which has resulted In
the destruction of many of our best
birds.
It is interesting to know that for thu
preservation of the birds, work inspir
ed by the great naturlist Audubon