smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

Mr.. J. d. Hyatt, President of the
New York Microscopical Society, gave
an account of his investigations on the
subject of stings. These studies have
extended over period Of eight years,
but only recently have some obscure
points been made out, The general
form of the singing organs of the honey
bee is well known by microscopists. 1t
consists of horny sheath, within which
there are two stings, and these, when in
use, are thrust out. There is a poison bag
which discharges its contents into the
sheath. This is a point well known, but
it appears that the precise method by
which the fluid makes its way from the
sheath into the wound has not heretofore
been properly explained. According to
the generally accepted explanation the
poison is supposed 10 flow in channel
formed between the two piercers or
stings, and in this way makes its way
into the wound. Mr.. Hyatt advances
another hypothesis, and believes he has
positive proof that he is right, having
dissected and examined upwards Of a
thousand stlngs.


On examining a properly prepared
sting from honey bee we notice first
that the piercers are very sharp, and
barbed for some distance from the end,
there being nine barbs pointing upward
on each one. These barbs are gracefully
curved, and it can easily be seen that
when once they find their way into the
flesh it would be difficult to withdraw
them. This explains why the honey bee
sting still remains in the flesh, while the
stings of other insects, with finer barbs.
are withdrawn.


A more careful observation indicates
that the stings are tubes. There appears
to be a channel running through the
length of each one, having branches
which terminate in the notches just
above the barbs. After careful study of
these channels, many of which were
| found to contain air or water after mount
ing, and were thus proved to be veritable
channels, the question arose to their
use. The natural inference would be
that they were ducts for the poison, but
there could be found no possible connec-
tion between the poison gland and these
channels, for, as already stated, the
poison flows into the sheath.


After long and patient investigation
the explanation offered is as follows: At
the back part of the sting these channels
open into the sheath, and just in front
of that opening, attached to the stings,
is sort of valve which projects into the
sheath. When, in the operation of sting
ing, the piercers are thrust out, they
carry forN ard this valve 30 as to close
the front of the sheath, for which pur-
pose they are admirably adapted, and
the poison thus confined within the
sheath makes its way out through these
openings in the stings. Whence once
understood the operation seems very
simple. There are also some objections
to the common explanation. Gross Sec
tions of the stings show that the walls
are quite thin, but strengthened in some
places by internal deposits. The form
of the stings is such that no channel can
be formed between them to conduct the
poison.
Year: 1878

Willis James was believed to be the
murderer of five persons in Clark coun-
ty, NO., but he has been acquitted,
there being very slight evidence against
him. If he is innocent, the crime is in
deed mystery. The murdered persons
we're the Spencer family, consisting of
a farmer and his two sons and two
daughters. The father and one son
were killed in barn, the other son and
daughter in the house, and the re-
naming daughter in field close by. No
motive for this horrible butchery has
been discovered. James is a relative,
and it is not known that there was any
quarrel between him and the Spencers.
No robbery was committed. James
gave the first information of the crime,
having, as he said, found the bodies on
going to the house on an errand. There
was little blood on his handkerchief,
but he said that it had come from his
nose; and several splashes on his hat,
that looked as though they might be
blood, but chemist was not willing to
swear what they were. Conviction was
impossible on such slight evidence, and
no more could be obtained.
Year: 1878

The experiment of tea growing in this
country is one of the most interesting
ever tried. Being successful in every
way, the time has come to go beyond
the experiment and cultivate it on a
large scale. In the Southern States,
many people have raised tea success
fully. It is hardy shrub, like thrifty
evergreen. The ordinary height of the
cultivated plant is from three to six feet,
and we are told the wild growth reaches
fifteen or twenty feet-in fact, tree ten
inches in diameter. Tea is raised from
small nuts or seeds. Three or four of
these are dropped into a hole and cover
ed with earth two or three inches deep.
The weeds must be removed, of course,
and at first little shading is necessary
until they are large enough to supply
their own shade. They also require
some pruning, and the leaves are not
collected for use until the plant is three
years old; when nine or ten years, they
are cut down to make room for the young
shoots. Tea gathering, which takes
place when the leaves are small, young
and juicy, is process of great niceness
and delicacy; it requires delicate, clean,
skilful hands; those of women and chill
dren are best fitted for the work, and
each leaf must be plucked separately
from the twig with great care, SO as not
to injure the yorng leaves just coming
out. After gail ing, the process Of
preparation for use is quite elaborate in
rolling, drying, clipping and packing
ready for transportation. They pack the
tea while warm, in box perfectly dry;
the evaporation of water and the drying
changes the color to dark brown or black.
Teas are named from the size and age OF
the leaf and the locality in which they
are raised. But we seldom taste this
favorite herb at its best, for the Chinese
send us an inferior article. What an ad.
vantage we gain by growing our own tea
In latitudes adapted to its growth every
farmer can have his tea garden. Foul
pounds of green leaves make one pound
of prepared tea, and one acre will pro-
duce four hundred and fifty pounds o.
tea.
Year: 1878

An orang-outang fully seven feet high
was discovered by the company of
merchant ship, at place called Ram
boon, on the northwest coast of Sum-
atra, on a spot where there were few
trees and little cultivated ground. cit
was evident that he had come from
distance, for his legs were covered with
mud up to his knees, and the natives
were unacquainted with him. On the
approach Of the boats crew he came
down from the tree in which he was dis
covered, and made for clump at some
distance; exhibiting, as he moved, the
appearance of tall, man-like figure,
covered with shining brown hair, walk
ing erect, with a waddling gait, but
sometimes accelerating his motion with
his hands, and occasionally impelling
himself forward with the beugh of
tree. His motion on the ground was
evidently not his natural mode of pro-
gression, for, even when assisted by his
hands and the bough, it was slow and
vacillating; it was necessary to see him
among the trees to estimate his strength
and agility. On being driven to small
clump, he gained by one spring a very
lofty branch, and bounded from one
branch to another with the swiftness of
common monkey; his progress being
as rapid as that of swift horse. After
receiving five balls his exertions relaxed,
and, reclining exhausted against
branch, he vomited quantity of blood.
The ammunition of the hunters being
by this time exhausted, they were
obliged to fell the tree in order to OBJ
tain him; but what was their surprise to
see him, as the tree was falling, effect
his retreat to another. with seemingly
undiminished vigor In fact, they we're
obliged to cut down all the trees before
they could force him to combat his ene-
mics on the ground, and when finally
overpowered by numbers, and nearly in
dying state, he seized spear made of
supple wood, which would have with
stood the strength of the stoutest man,
and broke it like a reed. 1t was stated,
by those who aided in his death, that
the human-like expression of his counte-
nance, and his piteous manner of plac-
ing his hands on his wounds, distressed
their feelings 80 as to almost make them
question the nature of the act they were
committing. He was seven feet high,
with a broad, expanded chest and mar
row waist. His chin was fringed with
beard that curled on each side, and
formed an ornamental rather than a
frightful appendage to his visage. His
arms were long, even in proportion to
his height, but his legs were much
shorter. Upon the whole, he was a
wonderful beast to behold, and there
was more about him to excite amazement
than fear. His hair was smooth and
glossy, and his whole appearance show
ed him to be in the full vigor of youth
and strength"
Year: 1878

A French Canadian fisherman, in pass
ing along the bank of the Ottawa, near
its confluence with the st. Lawrence,
discovered the body of large seal close
to the shore. On pulling it out of the
water he found that the head of the seal
was stuck fast in the mouth of a large
muskallonge, which would have weigh
ed about fifty pounds. Both seal and
fish, as matter of course, were dead.
II is supposed that the seal attempted
to capture the muskallonge, but was met
with fierce resistance.
Year: 1878

Somebody told US the other
day that Mr.. Conkling avows his
life to be one of regrets and dis
contents and unhappiness. That
he is held by fascinating fatali-
ty to public life he would glad
ly put away from him as having


brought nothing but apples Of
Sodom-results that have turned
to bitterness upon his lips. To
stand near to the higher and
inner circles Of Washington life
is to catch on every hand sug-
gestions that are eloquent with
sermons of easier contentment
to all the men and women and
homes throughout the land.
Pick out five hundred men in
congress and the other depart
ments of government here and
you will find no five hundred
men in the land fuller of worry
and discontents. This is an old,
old reflection. But its present
and perennial impressive truth
fulness makes it noteworthy.
The bright ambitious boy in
country or town thinks if he
could achieve Conkling's fame
and place he would be proudly
content. Yet if Conkling could
and would speak his innate
Judgment to that bright boy he
would truly tell him that there
are few men in Washington or
out not as happy as he.
Year: 1878

Never whip your horse for becoming
frightenedat any object by the roadside,
for # he sees stump, log, or a heap
of tan-bark in the road. and while he is
cycling it carefully, ard about to pass it,
you strike him with the whip it is the
log, or the stump, or the tan-bark that
is hurting him, in his way of reasoning,
and the next time he will be more
frightened. Giye him time to examine
and smell of all these objects. and use
the bride to assist you in bringing him
carefully to these objects of fear.
Year: 1878

Twelve years ago thief hired
a horse at livery stable at Ma
tick, Mass, and the owner did
not see either the man or the
beast again until recently, when
they entered the village. They
looked older, but were recogni-
zable. The thief claimed that
he was On his way to return the
horse, but his explanation was
not accepted.
Year: 1878

On the birth of an heir to the
tiny principality Of Reuss, the
other day, the capital city was
illuminated, and, as a German
paper remarks, the candles shed
their mild light across the from
tier. This recalls the story about
the ruler of another small Ger
man principality, who, in some
fit of Indignation, sent an order
to Beethoven to quit his domin-
ions within twenty-four hours.
Beethoven sept back answer to
the effect that if his Highncss
would look from his balcony he
would see him crossing the from
tier within five minutes.
Year: 1878

A Pennsylvania correspondent
Of the Rochester IN. W Fruit
Reporter gives his experience
with straw berries last year thus:
"I procured q half hogshead,
filled it with rain water, and
put into it one-quarter pound
ammonia and one-quarter pound
common-nitre.' When the straw
berry plants were blossoming
out, 1 gave them a sprinkling OF
the solution at evening twice a
week, until the fruit was nearly
full size. The result was that
the amount Of fruit obtained was
double that obtained from those
along side, where none of the
liquid was applied. Let us give
it a trial.
Year: 1878

alt i estimated that there are two
thousand and four hundred disorders TO
which the human frame il subjected
when a man is laid up with Fheuma-
tisn, be is apt to think that the entire
number has struck him In concert.
Year: 1878

Miss Lucy A. Osborne, of New Bedford,
whose scalp, right ear, and part of the right
cheek were torn off in September, 1874, by
machinery in which her hair caught, and who
has since been in New York hospital, is
now at home. A new scalp has grown upon
her head from the grating thereon of min
ute bits of skin. The pieces were contributed
from the arms of the hospital surgeons The
total number of pieces used in this operation
was IL, 900. One of the surgeons contributed
from his person ,202 pieces, and another
gave 865. The appearance of the scalp now
is similar to that of healed wound. Of
course there can be no growth of hair there
on. The eyes still present q slightly drawn
appearance. The wounds of the cheek and
ear have been neatly dressed, the former
leaving scarcely scar. In the first of the
grating process bits of skin the size of q
nickle were employed, but not with good sue
cess, and at the suggestion of an English sur
geon much smaller pieces were substituted,
and with excellent results. Miss Osborne is
now twenty two years old.
Year: 1878

A stranger sat in the corner of the car
hence to New York, in easy attitude, his feet
upon large black trunk. The gentlemanly
conductor going his rounds, at the first sta
ton politely inormedtthe stranger that his
trunk must be put in the baggage Car. To
which the stranger nothing replied. At the
second station the displeased conductor more
decidedly told the stranger that he must put
his trunk in the baggage Car. To which the
stranger nothing replied. At the third sta
ton the vexed conductor more imperatively
told the stranger that he must put his trunk
in he baggage car or it would be put off the
train. To which the stranger nothing re-
piled. At the fourth station the irate con-
ductor had the trunk put off and left. At the
fifth station the Modified conductor, address,
ing the stranger, begged him to remember
that he but done what his duty required, and
that he had only done it after repeated warn
ings, and that it was solely the strangers
fault. To which the stranger laconically re-
piled: "Don't care 'taint my trunk.-Bos-
ton Courier. -''' ~, --'. t
Year: 1878

Lieut.. c. A. Earnest, Eighth infantry left here last night for San Diego, where he will remain with his company until ready to avail himself of a six months leave of absence. Major Earnest, having been stationed at Fort Yuma nearly four years leaves many sincere friends. His re- cord here has been that of q gallant gentle man who can combine strict discharge of official duties with courteous consideration for all brought in contact with him. He vert on horseback accompanied by his favorite dogs and carrying a couple of choice young settlers in his saddle bags. Good luck to him, and pleasant iourneyl
Year: 1878

Small pox seems to be nearly forgotten here. We have made careful inquiry but have heard of no new cases. We do not approve of this indifference. As long as there is even suspicion of a case among us, the public mind ought not to be suffer- ed to be lulled into sense of false securi- ty. It is true that the disease has never taken serious form here, and also true that our usual climate seems to dry it out But wet, damp weather may occur at any time and repeat the prevalence of the dis ease here month ago. Trusting to Pro- whence IS very well, but for exterminating small pox we like to lean on isolation and disinfection.
Year: 1878

From M. L. Power, Esq, superintendent of the Silver King South mine, we learn that their No.2 shaft, at depth of 147 feet, struck 12 foot vein of good ore streaked with such clay as would, on the Comstock, indicate the top of an extensive ore body. A cross cut has been driven 100 feet east from this shaft and, seventy feet from it, penetrated the same ore body which was struck last summer in another shaft. at the depth of sixty-six feet A drift is now following this ore to the southward Heavy stocks of materials and supplies have been shipped from here 10 the mine and support Powers assertion that work is to be pushed on tie property without interruption.
Year: 1878

More charming weather cannot be imag. ined than that enjoyed by Yuma for some time back. The air and temperature have been perfect. Our Italian friends declare they never saw this weather surpassed even on the Mediterranean. Every breath invigo- rates one and every moment of existence affords an additional pleasure. It is the possession of such a climate as this that must make Yuma a great health resort, as soon as accommodations are provided for the comfort of invalids.
Year: 1878

There has been, for months past steady demand here for saddle and pack animals. Parties going into the interior in search of mines, business or pleasure, are constantly arriving here and fitting up for the trip The great increase of freights has also caused an active demand for draught ami mals for service in teams.
Year: 1878

The river at the foot of Main street is perfectly accessible-for flying machine. The water carts can load up at the foot of Gila st1eet-bY driving over the steamboat ways. But when Tom Scott closes up the lots his company bought from the SENTI MEL man, where will the people of Yuma haul water from?
Year: 1878

Railroad improvements have about come to stand still. Most of the men and tools have been sent away and nothing is being done buta little tinkering. Three large capstans are being put in at the head of the steamboat ways, probably for drag ging boats out of the water.
Year: 1878

IL Paris man who had an abund-
snce of leisure fell asleep one day. and
his friends supposed that he was dead.
A funeral was ordered and cards were
sent out, but while the undertaken was
fumbling with the screws and one of
the relatives was STOPPING to give the
pale face OF the corpse a last caress, 10,
there was breath and warmth in the
lips. The colin was removed and the
corpse tucked into a warm bed; and
three days afterward the slumbrous
man of leisure opened his eyes. stretch
Ell his arms and mnrmered, What a
good nap that was
Year: 1878

tue latter half OF his speech not one Of
them opened his mouth. The ouly in
teFruption TO the majestic stream of
oratory. relentlessly bearing forward
the impartial truth to the light of the
day. was the occasional outburst of
passionate applause from the left and
eenier.--CorrcspoaaeAce OF Times.
Year: 1878

Mr.. Hughes, the Marseilles journal
ist, who lately killed another Journalist
in n duel. has written from Italy to say
that he will give himself up at a proper
time. He concludes his letter to the
authorities: i will answer to the law
with my heart broken. bu. my head
erect When we have killed q man in
duel, we are sufficiently punished by
his death
Year: 1878

AFTER the failure of the late insur-
rcction i'll Japan. a richly. attired Japa-
nese young lady was found lying dead
III castle moat. with her fathers
head in her left hand and bloody
knife in her right. She had cut of
her fathers head. at his command,
and then killed herself. that the two
might not be taken prison1s.
Year: 1878

TIE PREEpE NTs MESSAGE is vapid
affair, quite as remarkable for it omission:
which confirm previous intima.ions of hi:
surrender to the 'fStolwarts" Of his party
As for It's recommendations looking to leg
islatiye action


We remark as the most noteworthy OF
his omissions, the total absence Of any
suggestions On the great subject Of Civil
Service reform" which was be. etofore a
conspicuous feature in the Presidents policy
In his letter Of acceptance and Inaugursl
address this topic held the foremost place,
and it occupied large space in the annual
Message of las Hence silence on
this subject nj. D. interpreted as indi-
eating harmony in future betv en- the
President and his party in Congress,


The scaion OF the President toward tie
Year: 1878

WAsHINGToN, March 18TH
The Committee on Banking and
Currency this morning agreed upon
bill providing for the issuing of
silver bullion certificates. Bullion
is to he counted at its equivalent in
coin, less the mint charges and
cost OF transportation. Certificates
are to be issued by any silver coin
ing mint or assay office, and to be
redeemable ut the assay office in
New York and the Mint in San
Francisco. These certificates are to
be legal tender in payment for all
Government dues.
Year: 1878

Sam Green owed his friend, Bill
Smith, grudge. Bill had ofted played
jokes upon him much to Sans disgust
and the merriment of the other board
ers i'm the house. Sam and Bill oceu-
pied the same room together, and the
last joke that Bill played upon him was
after this fashion: Sam perceived a
shadowy figure approaching him one
night after he had retired, having in
its hand huge carving knife, which
glittered in the uncertain light as the
50 figure swung it wildly over his
head; this proved too much for Sans
nerves-he gave a yell that would have
done honor to Modoc, and sank to the
floor, calling piteously for help. This
brought the whole household speedily
to the scene, and they assisted the poor
demanded to know what the uprOar
was all about. He was on the point of
telling them all about the horrible
spectre that had menaced him, when



with broad grin on his face, holding
the same carving knife (Which, blythe
by, was only an imitation one, made of
tin foil that he had seen in the shad
owy hand. Sam saw at once that
joke had been played upon him, and so
got rid of the astonished boaIders the
best he could, at the same time vowing
vengeance on that rascal, Bill Smith.
The next morning he fixed a cigar,
with fire-cracker inside of it, so that
it would explode when about half
smoked. This he placed in his pocket
with another one, and went down stairs
where he found his tormentor sitting
on the back stoop, reading the morning
paper.


.'Hillo, Billr' said he, as though
nothing had happened.


Hillo, SAM said he, as though he
had never played a joke upon anybody
in the world.


Have cigar, Bill?' he asked,
handing HIM one.


"Ah, thanks,'' said Bill, taking the
cigar and lighting it, while sam did
the same.


He won't be so thankful after he
has smoked awhile" thought Sam.


Bill continued TO read and smoke, and
in about ten minutes something went
OFF with bang. Bill looked up from
his paper only to see Sam holding his
face in both of his hands, and hopping
about like a crazy man. Alas. Sam
had kept the wrong cigar himself and
given his tormentor the innocent one.


- Sold, by thunder" he growled, as
he started up stairs, thinking how the
bitter had got bitten.
Year: 1878

A foreign exchange says that Mons.
Troupeau recommends the following
process of discovering whether there
are acarians in the flour: Some flour
is placed between two sheets of paper,
and is tLinned out by pressing it with
the finger. If acarians are in the flour,
they will reveal their presence by small
molecules, which can be seen by the
naked eye. These are then transferred
by a moistened point to a microscope
To minutely study the legs and hair Of
the insect, glycerine and acetic aciG
should be used, as they increase the
transparency.-In order to avoid bruis-
ing the insect, a hair should be placed
between the plate and cover glass.
Proceeding in this way, NJ. Troupeau
found that of large number of speci-
mems of flour nearly all contained aca.
rians, the number of which seemed to
increase according to the time the flour
had been exposed to air and moisture.