The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-11
But Now and Then . "Pet' IL
Struggled In.
TOURISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE
Have Brought Curious Animals
and Insects From Abroad.
Automobile Is Factor in the
Spread Of Pests.

Washington, d. c., April
recent seizure by the New York Gus
toms authorities OF the vilIage Oh
meadow ants which Mrs. G. w. Morse
wished to bring with her from Europe
is only an episode in the perpeeuaf
war waged against undesirable 'imml-
grants. human, animal and vegetable.
Mrs Morse's village, like the one
which reached Philadelphia about
fortnight before, was probably by
product of the increased interest In
nature study, but the United states
government not only discourages SUCH
aids to amateur research, but aDso-
lutely prohibits them. BY law
passed in 1905. the Importation OF Nv
ing insects into this country Is FOR
hidden and there are other laws
which regulate so strictly the importa-
ton of larger animals that In many
cases no discretion is left to the au-
thorities.
Nevertheless tourists and amateur
scientists are continually endeavoring
to introduce additions to the flora and
fauna of the United States which the
United States is happy to be without.
It Is estimated that fully One-ham OF
the pests that afflict farmers and
stock have been imported from
abroad, many of course by accident
but some brought in deliberately by
misguided enthusiasts or thoughtless
travellers.
Introduction Of Gypsy Moth.
The classic instance of misguided
enthusiasm Is the introduction in 1869
OF the destructive gypsy moth by a
scientist named Trouvelot. Trouvelot,
a Frenchman by birth, was an astron-
omer in Harvard; unfortunately. he
was also an ardent entomolog1st who
had devoted much Of his leisure time
to the consideration of the silk worm
industry. In an evil hour he con-
ceived the idea Of breeding harder
worm which might Withstand the dis
eases which were then ravaging rear
ing establishments in France. and in
pursuit of this purpose imported some
gypsy moths. intending to cross them
with some of the native species found
in the United States 1t SO CHANGED,
however. that he left the window of
his study in Medford. Mass. open
one day. When he returned a mass
Of eggs laid by the gypsy visitors had
disappeared-appare 1t had blown
out Of the open window. At this
point Trouvelot's experiments stopped.
Their results did not. They are still
with us and have cost the country
millions Of dollars.
Auto Spreads Pests.
Strangely enough. the automobile
has proved an. ally Of the moth. Not
only does 1t stir up currents of air
which scatter the fallen and infected
foliage. but it actually carries insects
many miles into districts which have
hitherto been immune. And on one
occasion some years ago there is every
reason to believe that a deliberate at
tempt was made to spread the pest.
Eggs said to have been found in Cali
fornia were sent to the department of
agriculture for examination and for a
time it seemed certain that in some
unaccOuntable way the pest had trav-
eled across the entire continent In
vestigation. revealed the fact, how
ever. that the man who forwarded the
eggs had previously been employed in
fighting the moth in Massachusetts.
Upon the arrival of scientist at
tached to the department. he left his
home and remained without address
until the investigator had departed.
There were no further reports Of the
gypsy moth in California.
Enterprising travellers have at va
rious times attempted to bring in as
Unknown in this country this over
grown bat. which at it's largest, meas
ures more than five feet across the
tips OF its wings. is one Of the great
pests of Australia. In their Camps
in the dense scrub of gul1ies and
swamps. they may be seen by the
thousands. crowded SO thickly on the
trees that branches are frequently
broken by their weight. Their nightly
raids in search of food cover consid-
cradle distances and they are especial
~ partial to figs. bananas, peaches
and other soft fruit.
Rudyard Kipling Is Blamed.
The mOngoose is another creature
which individuals persist in bringing
unlimited to these shores. For this il
Is perhaps fair to hold Rudyard Kip
ling largely responsible. The mongoose
he fmmortalized under the name of
riki-tiki-tavi in the jungle Book" is
a very attractive little hero. but NO
matter what the mongoose may be in
India. in America he is a nuisance
When no snakes are available to ap-
pease his appetite he does not scorn
chickens. young pigs. kids, lambs
puppies, kittens, vegetables and fruits
His presence in this hemisphere al
all Is due to the mistaken notion that
he would be invaluable in Kidding the
cane fields of the West Indies of rats
In 1872 a Mr.. Espent introduced nine
Of the animals. four males and five
females into Jamaica for this pur-
pose. They increased with such start.
ling rapidity that in 1890 q govern.
ment commission endeavored to find
some way of exterminating the pests
Pests Destructive Hero.
1t can In fact be safely asserted that
no one Is able to predict accurately
what will be the behavior of any form
of life when taken from its accustom.
ed environment and placed in new sur.
roundings. but the great majority Of
the pests which have been brough,