Evening star., 1921-03-27

brought by the stream from the
mountainous regions-dinerent spe-
cies of oak, walnut, mulberry, poplar,
locust, ash, willow, the pawpaw. the
spindle tree and the burning bush. At
the summer house there is a wnlte
walnut of about foot in diameter
perforated by a grape vine three
inches in circumference, when mas
been squeezed to death by the growth
of the tree. Near the causeway there
is species of eglantine thirty feet
in length and three inches in di-
ameter which is supported by nelg =
boring friendly tree. The poison oak
or poison vine grows here ana en-
twines itself among the trees. ou.
is easily distinguished by the mossy
appearance of it's stem. It's toucn
creates an irruption over the body
which is usually accompanied py
fever. and this disease is said to re-
new itself yearly about the tune OF
fringe tree grows at the extremity
of the island near the causeway- A
foreign plant of this species was sen [
to Gen. Mason as curiosity. ana II
was recognized by farmer unac-
ouainted with botany. to be the same
as that which inhabits the American
woods The Virginia jessamlne grows
in all parts of the island. entWinlns
itself among the trees and bushes.
..Jt flowers in June. and the MOVERS
during sunshine are infested win red
ants. Several species of ascleplas
1milkweeds) grow here. including
that with purple flowers. One which
blows in July contains IN lts. Seed
CAPSULES a kind of silk which. mixed
with cotton. forms very durapie
thread. The aseiep,a: .,enrisx Win oram rnni
a name derived from this malady for
which it is supposed to be a soy e,
ereign remedy. A decoction Of the
root is a powerful sudorific. when is
employed by the blacks as cure for
ali diseases. The crimson flowers
of the American redhud, or Judas
tree appear early in the spring and
have fine effect The sassafras
tree thrives we'll here. It's leaves
are the first which change their
color in the autumn. Mrs. Mason
informs me that an infusion of them
affords a beverage of a pleasant aro-
matte taste which may be employed
as substitute for tea.
X x X
The Biological Society of Wash
ington. in a bulletin on the natural
history of the District of Columbia.
published in 1918. reprinted certain
observations on Analostan Island
made by Baillie Warden, and the
Rambler passes on to you some of
those observations, believing that
they must interest you:
Analostan Island is the resort of various
reptiles. We found the nest of the terrapin'
or concent-;c tortoise. or frest-water turtle. in
the garden at a distance of about thirty feet
from the water. containing nineteen eggs
laid close to each other and the inter
stices filed with earth. The greater circum-
ference Of the egg four inches and the
lesser three inches. The nest or hole was OF
an oval form and four inches in depth The
dnnn Ifnd rom 70
first Of June to the middle of July. l saw an
other nest. from which the turtle was taken
at the moment when She had placed herself
in an almost erect position to deposit her eggs.
which she always performs during the day,
and, it is said never returns to the spot. The
young ones are Matched hy the heat of the sun
and are supposed to remain in the nest till
spring Several persons whom I consulted on
this subject assured me that they have turned
them up with the plow at this season. The
turtle when shaken before she lays her eggs
makes q hollow noise, il she contained
water. One in this state weighed six pounds.
which, it appears, is the common size. The
species known by the name of the terrapin is
very shy, and ceases to walk as soon as ii sees
person approach near it. When endeavoring
to escape it nearly as fast as duck.
The blacks make soup and eat the eggs OF
this Species of which they are very fond.
The swapping turtle is also seen in the wa
tiers of this river. some of which weigh forty
or fifty pounds and lay forty fifty eggs
Cen Mason some years ago caught of
huge size which he threw into his canoe. and ii
attacked him so furionsly therein that he was
obliged TO leap into the water The reptile fol
lowed and thus made its escape. Its bite is Sc
we're and dangerous. Two species of fresh-water
tortoise inhabit the island. namely, the painted
tortoise and the streaked tortoise.
The muskrat abounds in the swamp adjon
ing the Potomac bridge. and is killed by the
blacks in curious manner a square board.
bearing n cons!derab.e~ weight of mud or
stones is placed in an inclined position, and
is supported by three sticks in peculiar
manner. Parsnips are put underneath. of which
the rats are very fond; while devouring them
they necessarily move one of these sticks. by
which the board suddenly falls and crushes
them to death. The skin sells at % cents.
The deer, wild turkey, canvasback duck and
the wild goose which inhabited this place
about fifty years ago. have all disappeared
This species of duck, so delicious to the taste, |
was then sold for sixpence.
Mr.. Warden made numerous notes |
on the birds of Analostan Island. He |
tells that the humming bird which !
freuucnts the place. when caught, I
feins death like the oposSum and by